The chapter took a while; school and work piled up

Chapter 39:Combat and Invitations

Crucible announcements echoed off the towering walls of the simulated arena, their metallic ring underscoring the tension thrumming through the air. As the match countdown began, Weiss, Blake, and Yang—Team WBY—took position behind a crumbling column that barely shielded them from the wide-open battlefield. Across the courtyard stood their opponents: the self-proclaimed Trio of Titans, each donned in heavy armor that pulsed faintly with Arc energy.

"THIS IS CONTROL! ONLY WITH TEAMWORK WILL YOU PREVAIL!" boomed the unmistakable voice of Lord Shaxx, echoing across the arena's sound system. "FIGHT HARD, GUARDIANS, AND SHOW ME YOUR LIGHT!"

"This is going to be fun," Yang said with a grin, cradling her shotgun. The bright scoreboard overhead showed both teams at zero, a tie they would soon break.

Weiss peeked around the stone pillar, scanning for movement. "Fun or not, keep your guard up. Titans are unstoppable once they build momentum—especially with that ridiculous auto rifle they're carrying."

Blake exhaled slowly, tension clear in her gaze. "You mean the giant bullet hose they keep revving up? 'Sweet Business,' right?"

Weiss nodded. "Yes, that one. Big mag, spin-up, and lethal if we get caught in the open. Watch yourself."

The arena buzzer sounded, shrill and sharp. Round one was underway.

"THESE TITANS LOOK LIKE THEY'RE READY TO CRACK SOME SKULLS!" Shaxx thundered over the PA. "KEEP IT TOGETHER, TEAM W-B-Y!"

They broke cover with practiced coordination. Yang vaulted over the debris first, boots slamming into the dust as she barreled toward a mid-level vantage point. Weiss followed, glyphs forming under her feet to boost her leaps between platforms. Blake took an opposite route, slipping through shadows along the perimeter.

A Titan roared from across the courtyard—a tall, broad-shouldered figure spinning up Sweet Business in a flash of muzzle flare and trailing smoke. Rounds raked across the arena, the slugging force of lead pinning Weiss behind a collapsed beam.

"SHOW ME A REAL FIGHT, GUARDIANS!" Shaxx cried. "NO MERCY! NO RESPITE!"

"Flank 'em!" Yang's voice boomed over the roar of gunfire, her eyes blazing with determination. She sprinted hard around the right side, submachine gun at the ready.

Another Titan cut her off, Arc energy crackling around his shoulders as he dropped his weapon for a moment. He charged forward in a burst of speed, a thunderous shoulder slam that crashed into Yang's midsection. Sparks exploded around them, and Yang careened backward into the dirt.

"Oh-ho-ho, I FELT THAT ONE FROM HERE!" Shaxx roared, half in approval, half in amusement. "CAN YANG RECOVER?"

"We got one down—push now!" The Titan with Sweet Business opened fire again, trying to keep Weiss pinned and prevent Blake from closing distance. Bullets zinged off rock, forcing the pale-haired Warlock to conjure a barrier of shimmering glyphs. Her protective sigil flickered under the relentless barrage.

"Yang!" Weiss's voice carried her panic, but she refused to let it break her focus. Her hands glowed with Arc energy, channels of electricity dancing between her fingertips. She pivoted, flung a bolt of lightning that arced across the courtyard and forced the Titan gunner to duck.

Meanwhile, Blake prowled along the far edge, her eyes locked on the third Titan patrolling the flank, scanning for any sign of infiltration. She sprang out of concealment, submachine gun rattling off a hail of bullets that cracked against the Titan's shield. In an instant, his fists wreathed in Arc Light.

Blake expected him to close in with fists, but he feinted—smashing a shoulder charge directly into her side. The impact sent her tumbling across the ground, aura flickering from the blow.

"ARC SHOULDER CHARGE! CLASSIC TITAN MOVE!" Shaxx proclaimed, clearly delighted.

She hissed, rolling back to her feet with deft agility. "Twice! They've knocked me around twice—unbelievable…" Gritting her teeth, she darted behind a half-broken column to catch her breath.

The Titan advanced, lightning still dancing around his pauldrons. "Sorry, Hunter! That's the Iron Lords' style!" He sprinted forward for another slam. With a desperate shift, Blake dove into a shadowy afterimage, letting the Titan's shoulder crash into empty air. A second later, she reappeared behind him, submachine gun muzzle flashing. The Titan's shield broke under the peppered gunfire, and he staggered forward.

"FANTASTIC EVASION!" Shaxx bellowed. "THE HUNTER SHOWS HER CLAWS!"

A thunderous explosion rocked the battlefield. Yang, battered but unbroken, had regained her footing. With a burst of Solar Light, she launched a hammer of flame across the courtyard. "Weiss, push!" she yelled.

Weiss responded, springing out from cover behind her swirling glyph. She conjured a lance of Arc energy and hurled it toward the Titan armed with Sweet Business. He pivoted to track her, that monstrous auto rifle roaring to life, but the crackling spear exploded against his defenses. Sparks rained, and he stumbled.

Taking advantage of the moment, Weiss soared upward on a platform of glyphs, unleashing a volley of scout rifle shots that pinged off the Titan's shoulders. His armor flared, but she could see his aura depleting.

Shaxx let out a raucous laugh. "NOW THAT'S WHAT I LIKE TO SEE! COMBINE YOUR LIGHT!"

On the other side, Yang found herself face-to-face with the Titan who'd leveled her earlier. He snarled, shoulders crackling anew with Arc Light. Yang gave a fierce grin. "Round two," she quipped, pumping her shotgun. The Titan lunged, shoulder angled forward, but Yang jumped. Midair, she flipped over him, unloading a slug into his back. He groaned, dropping to a knee.

Yang landed with a flourish, eyes blazing. "And that's that."

"THE TITAN FALLS! YANG TAKES HER REVENGE!" Shaxx boomed.

Blake was still tussling with the agile Titan who'd hammered her twice with Arc shoulder charges. He was hurting, but so was she. Gunshots rang out, each bullet traded between them in near-equal measure. Then the Titan threw down a barrier, popping off a quick reload for his sidearm. Blake inhaled, summoning the last of her Void reserves. She dashed forward, intangible for a blink, emerging inside his barrier. "Sorry," she whispered, unleashing a point-blank rocket from her Bad Omens. The explosion roared, sending her skidding back, ears ringing.

When the smoke cleared, the Titan was down, scoreboard ticking in WBY's favor.

"HAHA! THAT'S HOW YOU CRUSH THE ENEMY'S LAST HOPE!" Shaxx cheered.

Two of the Titans now out, the last Titan, the original Sweet Business gunner, found himself cornered. Yang, Weiss, and Blake converged on his position, each battered but still battle-ready.

His heavy auto rifle spun up again, a final blaze of defiance as bullets peppered the ground, tearing chunks out of the environment. Yang ducked behind a rusted pillar, Weiss behind a glyph, and Blake behind a low wall. The Titan advanced slowly, his weapon spitting endless rounds.

Then a final shot rang out—Weiss, her scout rifle perfectly aligned. She nailed a critical blow to the Titan's shoulder, forcing him to stagger and lose control of the spin-up. Yang seized the opening, vaulting in with a flaming fist that shattered his shield.

Blake finished it, an Arc-laced melee that caught him in the side. He collapsed, aura flickering. The scoreboard flashed a triumphant beep: Match Over.

Shaxx's thunderous voice rang across the arena. "TREMENDOUS WORK, GUARDIANS! POINTS GO TO TEAM W-B-Y! I EXPECT TO SEE YOU BACK HERE SOON!"

The courtyard fell silent, scorched ground and debris marking the ferocity of the battle. Blake clutched her side, exhausted from the repeated Arc charges. Yang exhaled, grinning despite a bruise blooming across her cheek. Weiss's hair was plastered to her forehead with sweat, but satisfaction lit her icy eyes.

Across the field, the three Titans lay in varying states of defeat. One of them waved a hand, acknowledging the skill of Team WBY's finish. "Alright, alright," the Sweet Business gunner said, pulling off his helmet. "You got us this time."

Yang extended a fist in camaraderie. "Good match," she said, bright grin overshadowing her bruises.

The Titan bumped fists, letting out a good-natured chuckle. "Next time, we'll bring more ammo."

Weiss offered a hand to the Titan who had hammered her with bullets earlier. "Sweet Business is… quite a gun," she admitted.

He shrugged, standing up with her help. "She's hungry for lead, that's for sure. But you Warlocks have a sting of your own."

Blake folded her arms, stance brimming with quiet confidence. "Just lay off the Arc shoulder charges next time, yeah?" Her teasing tone softened the words, and the Titan barked a laugh.

"You got it, slick."

Shaxx's voice crackled in one last announcement over the loudspeakers: "ANOTHER CRUCIBLE MOMENT TO REMEMBER! KEEP THAT FIRES IN YOUR HEARTS, GUARDIANS!"

With the match concluded, the arena began resetting itself, digital illusions repairing the battered environment for the next showdown. Team WBY walked away from the battlefield victorious but humbled, newly aware of the sheer firepower that a Titan with Sweet Business could wield. It had been close—dangerously so at times—but they had pulled through with grit, cunning, and a little help from each other.

And if the three Titans had proven anything, it was that the Iron Lords' legacy burned on in the hearts of those who never stopped charging forward, shoulder first.

The Tower's commissary hummed with its usual evening activity as WBY found Ruby and Adam at their usual corner table. Yang was still riding high from their victory, Monte Carlo propped proudly against her chair.

"That Sweet Business formation though," she was saying as they approached. "Who even comes up with that?"

"Impressive performance," Adam commented, not looking up from his drink. "Especially that final coordination with the Queenbreaker."

Blake's ears twitched as she settled into her seat. "Wait, you saw our match?"

"Most of the City did," Ruby said with a proud smile. "That's why Shaxx was so excited - you drew quite an audience."

"The City?" Weiss straightened in her chair. "What do you mean the City saw our match?"

Ruby's silver eyes sparkled with amusement. "You didn't know? All Crucible matches are broadcast throughout the Last City. It's one of the main forms of entertainment for civilians - watching Guardians train and compete."

"They... watch us fight?" Yang blinked, processing this new information. "Like some kind of combat sports channel?"

"More than that," Adam added, finally looking up. "It helps the civilians feel connected to their protectors. Shows them that even Guardians have to train, have to work to improve. Makes us seem more... human."

"Shaxx started the broadcasts during the Dark Age," Ruby explained. "Said it gave people hope, watching Guardians master their Light. Now it's become a huge part of City culture. There are even betting pools and fan clubs for different Crucible champions."

"That explains the children I saw mimicking your hammer throw yesterday," Blake said to Yang, understanding dawning in her eyes.

"Wait, I have fans?" Yang's grin widened considerably. "Like, actual civilian fans who watch me punch things?"

Before Weiss could respond, Yang's eyes lit up again. "Hold on... that means they broadcast our rookie matches, too, right? Even the first time we faced Pyrrha and Penny in the Crucible? I bet we looked like total amateurs."

Blake huffed softly. "I can't imagine anyone wanting to watch rookies fumbling around. Surely they'd rather see the more experienced Guardians."

Ruby shook her head, smiling at Blake. "People love an underdog story. Besides, that match had Penny and Pyrrha—two up-and-coming stars—and Adam here, who was basically old guard. I'm willing to bet you had a healthy audience even then."

"Don't let it go to your head," Weiss muttered, though she looked thoughtful. "Though it does explain some of the looks we've been getting in the Tower lately."

"The civilians love watching new Guardians develop," Ruby said warmly. "Especially ones who work together as well as you three. It reminds them that the Light is always finding new champions to protect them."

"Plus," Adam added with the ghost of a smile, "that last Queenbreaker shot was genuinely impressive. The betting pools will be talking about that one for weeks."

Yang leaned back, clearly delighted by this revelation. "So not only did we beat those Sweet Business Titans, but we did it in front of an audience? That's amazing! We should wave next time. Oh! Maybe I could add some showmanship to my hammer throws..."

"Please don't," Blake and Weiss said in unison.

Ruby laughed, the sound bright and familiar. "Just keep fighting like you did today. The City needs heroes they can believe in - ones who show that with dedication and teamwork, any challenge can be overcome."

"Even if that challenge is three Titans with matching auto rifles," Blake added dryly.

"Especially then," Adam confirmed, returning to his drink. But there was approval in his tone, and maybe even a touch of pride.

Weiss took a sip of her drink, still mulling over the implications of the broadcasts. "That does explain a lot. I imagine there are certain Guardians who have quite the following."

"Oh, definitely," Ruby agreed. "I mean, I'm not surprised Pyrrha has an impressive following. She's ranked pretty high on the competitive leaderboard."

"Pyrrha competes?" Weiss asked, surprised.

"Of course!" Ruby nodded. "She's one of the best out there. A lot of Guardians keep an eye on her matches. If you thought she was scary in the Crucible before, imagine her now after just a couple of years of intense training as a Guardian."

Blake smirked. "That does sound terrifying."

Yang grinned. "Well, now we've got something to aim for. If Pyrrha's that high on the leaderboard, I say we challenge her one day."

Ruby chuckled. "You'd better bring your A-game. She doesn't go easy on anyone."

The commissary continued its usual bustle around them as they discussed the match in more detail, with Ruby occasionally adding insights about how different civilian groups tended to react to various Guardian fighting styles. It was another piece of their new reality falling into place - not just warriors of the Light, but symbols of hope for the people they protected.

Even if some of those people were now apparently betting on their Crucible performances.

"Just wait until they see what I can do with two grenades," Yang mused, patting the Armamentarium.

"Light help us all," Weiss sighed, but she was smiling too.

Pyrrha was polishing her spear in her Tower quarters when Aegis suddenly pulsed with alertness. "Incoming transmission," her Ghost announced. "It's from... Failsafe?"

"Failsafe?" Pyrrha paused in her maintenance. "The AI on Nessus? What could she want?"

Aegis expanded his shell as the transmission connected. Two distinct voices emerged - one cheerful and helpful, the other sardonic and frustrated:

"Greetings, Guardian Pyrrha! / Oh great, more company."

"Hello Failsafe," Pyrrha replied carefully. "Is everything alright on Nessus?"

"Technically speaking, no! / When is it ever?" Failsafe's dueling personalities seemed extra animated. "I am detecting a massive vessel in orbit above my crash site. It is approximately 36.2 times larger than any previously recorded Cabal warship! / It's really big and probably bad news."

Pyrrha straightened, immediately alert. "A Cabal ship? Are they launching an attack?"

"Negative! / Surprisingly not." Failsafe's cheerful voice continued: "The vessel's commander, who identifies himself as Emperor Calus, has broadcast an invitation specifically requesting the presence of yourself and Guardian Penny! He claims to be the rightful ruler of the Cabal Empire, deposed by the now-deceased Dominus Ghaul. / Seems legit, right?"

"Emperor Calus?" Pyrrha shared a confused look with Aegis. "I've never heard of him."

"According to his extremely lengthy introduction, he wishes to personally honor the Guardians who defeated Ghaul and freed his empire from the usurper's control! / Though personally I think it's a trap."

"His ship - the Leviathan, as he calls it - appears to be a mobile palace-world," Aegis noted, scanning the transmitted data. "The energy readings are... extraordinary."

"He has promised riches and weapons of incredible power to those who prove themselves worthy in his challenges! / Because that doesn't sound suspicious at all."

Pyrrha's mind raced with the implications. An exiled Cabal Emperor seeking alliance after Ghaul's defeat? It seemed too convenient, but also too strange to be a simple trap.

"Thank you for relaying this, Failsafe," she said finally. "I'll need to discuss this with Penny and the Vanguard before making any decisions."

"Of course! I will continue monitoring the vessel's activities. / Try not to die if you decide to visit!"

As the transmission ended, Pyrrha stared thoughtfully at her spear. The Red War's aftermath had left many questions about the Cabal Empire's future. Perhaps this Emperor Calus would provide some answers - assuming, of course, they survived whatever "challenges" he had in mind.

"Well," Aegis said dryly, "at least life's never boring."

Pyrrha smiled despite herself. "No, it certainly isn't. Let's go find Penny. Something tells me we're about to embark on another adventure."

"Absolutely not," Zavala's voice carried the weight of command as he stood at his usual position in the Vanguard chamber. "We know nothing about this 'Emperor' Calus or his true intentions."

Pyrrha had just finished relaying Failsafe's message to the assembled leadership. Penny stood beside her, while Ruby and Oscar flanked them supportively. Ikora Rey studied a holographic display of the Leviathan's massive form, her scholarly mind already analyzing possibilities.

"With respect, Commander," Ruby stepped forward, her silver eyes sharp with tactical assessment, "this could be an opportunity we can't ignore. The power vacuum in the Cabal Empire after Ghaul's defeat is dangerous. If Calus truly was the rightful ruler..."

"Then why reveal himself only now?" Zavala countered. "Why not aid us during the Red War?"

"Maybe he couldn't," Penny suggested brightly. "The Leviathan's energy readings suggest it was quite far from our system until recently."

Cayde-6 pushed off from his shadowed corner. "Look, big blue has a point about the risk. But Ruby's not wrong either. Way I see it, better to know what this Emperor wants than wait for him to get impatient."

"His invitation was specifically for Pyrrha and Penny," Ikora noted, looking up from the hologram. "The Guardians who struck the final blow against Ghaul. There's symbolism in that - a deposed emperor honoring those who defeated his usurper."

"Which could make them perfect targets for revenge," Zavala pointed out grimly.

"They wouldn't be going alone," Ruby said firmly. She gestured to herself and Oscar. "We have centuries of combat experience between us. Add Adam and Jaune to the fireteam, and we'd be ready for any treachery."

Oscar stepped forward, his tome humming softly at his belt. "The Cabal value strength and ceremony. Refusing the invitation could be seen as weakness - or worse, an insult. If Calus truly holds legitimate claim to the Empire's throne..."

"We need to understand where he stands," Ikora finished. "The Cabal Empire is fracturing. Better to know if this Emperor will be friend or foe."

Zavala was quiet for a long moment, considering. Finally, he turned to Pyrrha and Penny. "This is ultimately your decision. The invitation was extended to you. What do you think?"

Pyrrha exchanged glances with Penny before answering. "The Red War taught us that we need to understand our enemies - and our potential allies. If there's a chance to prevent another conflict..."

"And his ship looks amazing!" Penny added enthusiastically. "The engineering principles alone would be fascinating to study!"

"Very well," Zavala sighed, though his expression remained stern. "But I want a full fireteam. Ruby, Oscar, Adam, and Jaune will accompany you. At the first sign of treachery..."

"We'll handle it," Ruby assured him, a dangerous glint in her silver eyes. "We always do."

"I'll inform Adam and Jaune," Oscar said, already turning to leave. "Though knowing Jaune, he'll be glad for a distraction from New Monarchy's latest coronation attempts."

"Keep your Ghosts' channels open," Ikora instructed. "We'll want constant updates on whatever you find aboard that vessel."

"And hey," Cayde called out as they prepared to depart, "if you happen to find any interesting loot up there... the Vanguard definitely needs a full report. Very detailed. Maybe with samples."

"Cayde," Zavala warned.

"What? I'm just being thorough!"

As they left the chamber, Pyrrha felt a mix of anticipation and apprehension. Whatever waited aboard the Leviathan, at least they would face it together - a fireteam of legends, ready for whatever challenges this mysterious emperor had prepared.

"This is going to be so exciting!" Penny practically bounced as they walked. "I wonder what kind of challenges he has planned? And what sort of weapons and technology we might see?"

Ruby smiled at her enthusiasm, but her voice carried centuries of experience: "Just remember - with the Cabal, everything is a test. We'll need to be ready for anything."

"Together," Pyrrha said firmly, drawing confidence from their presence.

"Together," they agreed. The Leviathan awaited.

"You're going WHERE?" Yang's eyes widened as Ruby finished explaining about the massive ship orbiting Nessus. The team had gathered in their usual corner of the Tower's courtyard, the evening light casting long shadows across their faces.

"The Leviathan," Pyrrha repeated. "Emperor Calus's vessel. He specifically requested an audience after hearing about our victory over Ghaul."

"A Cabal Emperor?" Blake's ears twitched with interest. "I thought Ghaul was their leader."

"Apparently Calus was the legitimate emperor before Ghaul deposed him," Ruby explained. "Now that Ghaul's dead, he's reaching out."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Yang jumped up, already checking her weapons. "A massive Cabal ship full of challenges and probably sweet loot? Count me in!"

"Actually..." Ruby's voice took on a gentler tone that immediately made Yang pause. "You three aren't coming with us on this one."

"What?" Weiss straightened in her chair. "But we've been training for weeks. Our coordination in the Crucible-"

"Is impressive," Ruby acknowledged. "But this is different. This isn't a training exercise or a simple combat mission. This is potentially a diplomatic encounter with the leader of an interstellar empire. Or it could be an elaborate trap. Probably both."

"Which is exactly why you need backup," Yang argued. "We've proven we can handle ourselves-"

"Against regular combat situations," Ruby cut her off firmly. "But this? This is beyond anything you've faced. The Cabal are masters of warfare, and their politics are just as deadly as their weapons. One wrong move could trigger another empire-wide conflict."

Blake's ears flattened. "So you don't trust us to handle it."

"It's not about trust," Pyrrha interjected gently. "It's about experience. The team going - Ruby, Oscar, Adam, and Jaune have centuries of combat experience between them. Penny and I have faced the Cabal directly during the Red War. Together, we have the kind of battle wisdom that only time can grant."

"And if it is a trap?" Weiss pressed. "Wouldn't more Guardians be better?"

"Not necessarily," Ruby said. "A smaller team of experienced fighters has a better chance of getting out alive if things go wrong. Too many variables, too many people to protect..." She met each of their eyes in turn. "I won't risk your lives on something this uncertain."

"But-" Yang started to protest again.

"This isn't up for debate," Ruby's voice carried the authority of centuries. "Calus was very specific in his invitation - a fireteam of six, no more. Coming with additional Guardians could be seen as a sign of mistrust or aggression. The Cabal take their ceremonial protocols seriously, and we can't risk offending an Emperor who might control the largest military force in the system." She shook her head. "The fireteam is set. You three will continue your training here. There will be other missions, other challenges. But this one? You're not ready. Not for this."

The silence that followed was heavy with disappointment and barely contained frustration. Finally, Blake spoke:

"How will we ever be ready if you don't give us the chance to prove ourselves?"

"By being patient," Pyrrha answered softly. "By understanding that some battles require more than just skill and determination. They require the kind of wisdom that only comes with time."

"And hey," Penny added brightly, trying to lighten the mood, "someone needs to keep an eye on things here! Make sure the Tower doesn't fall apart while we're gone."

Yang slumped back in her chair, the fight going out of her. "Fine. But you better come back with some good stories. And maybe some of that sweet Cabal tech."

"We'll be careful," Ruby promised, relief evident in her voice. "And we'll tell you everything when we return. But for now..." She looked at her team, centuries of experience evident in her silver eyes. "For now, trust that we know what we're doing."

The younger Guardians nodded reluctantly, accepting if not entirely happy with the decision. As Ruby and Pyrrha left to prepare for their mission, Weiss's voice carried after them:

"Just... come back safe. All of you."

Ruby smiled over her shoulder. "Always do, don't we?"

But as they walked away, both she and Pyrrha knew that with the Cabal, nothing was ever certain. The Leviathan waited in orbit around Nessus, and whatever challenges Emperor Calus had prepared would test even their considerable experience.

At least they wouldn't have to worry about their younger teammates while they faced them.

Should I alternate chapters between the Raid group and WBY, or finish one and move to the other?