AN: Friendly reminder that I have no idea what I'm doing and make this shit up as I go along.

The Cosmodrome stretches out before me, this particular portion dotted with ruined vehicles and the corpses of long-fallen Hive. Across the ruined landscape, dozens of Ghosts float in deliberate patterns, scanning the remains of the dead.

Standing amidst the chaos, I pay attention to my Haki, keeping vigilant.

Getting this many Ghosts to cooperate with me was easier than expected. Being a Speaker has its perks; something about my connection to the Traveler compels them to listen, almost without question. If I wanted, I could probably convince half of them to follow me into the Ascendant Plane.

But this is more than enough for now; thirty or so Ghosts searching for something none of them have ever considered: Hive Guardians.

Most of them seemed confused by my request, their eyes flickering uncertainly as they scan Hive bodies. Only one actually questions me, his voice startlingly familiar.

"Heya, boss." Fynch's rounded shell spins nervously as he approaches. "I know you're, like, the Speakeriest Speaker to ever… uh, speak, but are you sure about this? Hive Guardians? That's a hard sell for some of us."

I smile at him. "Humor me."

"Well, you're the boss." Fynch sighs, retreating to a nearby Acolyte's corpse.

My attention flicks to the edge of the group of Ghosts. A Hive Knight is moving, its glowing eyes locked onto one of the Ghosts hovering alone. My hands twist in the familiar pattern of a spell. "Tormentum."

Four crimson bolts of energy manifest and lance through the air, each unerringly striking the Knight. The final Magic Missile pierces its chest, dropping it in a heap before it can reach its target.

Fynch glances at the fallen Knight, muttering, "Weird magic." before his single blue eye locks onto a different Hive corpse. He freezes, his light shifting, intensifying. It's subtle at first, but as he floats closer to the body, his aura grows brighter, sharper.

The other Ghosts notice his actions, murmurs spreading like ripples in a pond. Fynch's scanning beam sweeps over the Hive Knight's remains. "It can't be… I finally found you!"

His Light flares as it surges into the corpse. The dark chitin shifts, bleaching to a bone-white hue. Ornate designs sprout from the carapace as the Knight's body jerks upright with a ragged gasp.

Fynch's shell morphs as well, becoming chitinous, his now green eye brighter, more alien. He pauses, spinning in place. "That felt odd… Uh… Eyes up, Guardian!"

The resurrected Knight's three glowing eyes sweep the area, confusion etched into his newly reformed features. His voice is rough, deep, and distinctly Hive, but he speaks English. "Who… what are you?"

Fynch bobs nervously. "Ah, well, I'm a Ghost. Your Ghost, actually. And I, uh, brought you back from the dead. You're a bit different than what I expected, but hey, it's fine!"

I step closer, drawing the Knight's attention. "Hello there." My tone is calm, welcoming. Whoever he was before, he's someone new now. I extend a hand.

The Knight stares at it, his massive digits flexing. After a moment, he clasps my hand, and I pull him to his feet, my magically enhanced strength making the action seamless despite his towering eight-foot frame.

"Who am I?" He asks, his voice tinged with distress. "I have no memory… of anything."

I hum thoughtfully. "From the state of your remains, I'd say you've been dead for over a hundred years. You're unique: the first Hive ever resurrected by a Ghost."

The Knight looks down at his hands, then at the corpses of his former brood. "What is my purpose?"

I pause. "The purpose of a Guardian is to protect those who cannot fight for themselves. Despite your unique circumstances, that purpose doesn't change for you."

I nod to Fynch. "Why don't you explain the basics?"

Fynch perks up. "Alright, big guy. So, like, seven hundred-ish years ago, I popped into existence…"

I leave them to it, climbing the wreckage of a ruined building to where Crow and Glint are perched. Crow's eyes follow the newly risen Knight, his fingers idly curling around Hawkmoon's grip.

"So it actually worked." He says, his voice low.

"Didn't think it would?" I ask, leaning beside him.

"It seemed like a long shot, even for you." He glances at me. "How'd you know?"

I shrug. "Asked the Traveler where I should take the Ghosts to test my theory."

Crow huffs a quiet laugh, his attention returning to the Knight below. "A Hive Guardian…"

"You keep doing crazy stuff." Glint says, watching Fynch explain something about the Light to the Knight. "I really should be used to it by now…"

"Gotta keep you on your toes." I quip. I watch the newly risen Hive Knight move stiffly as Fynch flutters around him, explaining the basics of being a Guardian in a stream of nervous chatter. Despite his imposing form, the uncertainty in his posture reminds me of a newborn learning to walk.

I exhale slowly, glancing at Crow beside me. "I need to break the news to Zavala."

I step away from the edge of the ruin and tap a comms device embedded in my gauntlet. A soft chime confirms the connection as it establishes a secure link to the Tower. Moments later, Zavala's deep, measured voice comes through.

"Mavriel?"

"Commander." I begin, keeping my tone professional. "I'm currently in the Cosmodrome with Crow and several unpartnered Ghosts. We've… made a discovery."

There's a slight pause, the faint hum of Zavala's office in the background. "Go on."

I glance at the Hive Knight, who's now testing the strength of his hand against a piece of rubble. Fynch flits nervously around him, trying to prevent him from accidentally demolishing the foundation of the ruins.

"I took a bunch of Ghosts to the Cosmodrome to search for their partners, and to test a hypothesis I had. One of the Ghosts successfully resurrected a Hive Knight." I say evenly. "The Knight appears to have no memory of his previous life and has been fully infused with the Light. The Ghost seems to have undergone a small metamorphosis as well."

The silence on the other end is palpable, stretching long enough that I almost wonder if the connection has been lost. Then Zavala's voice cuts through, sharp and unyielding.

"Explain."

I take a breath, steadying myself. "The Ghost's name is Fynch. I brought several Ghosts here to test a theory that the Hive might be possible candidates for Ghost resurrection. Fynch identified a Hive Knight's corpse, scanned it, and initiated the resurrection process."

"You're telling me." Zavala says, his tone low and deliberate. "That a Ghost willingly resurrected a Hive."

"Yes, Commander."

"And you facilitated this."

I feel the weight of his disapproval even through the comms. "I encouraged the Ghosts to scan Hive bodies, yes, but I didn't know this would succeed. The Knight… he's like us now."

Zavala's voice hardens. "The Hive are not like us. They are our enemy, creatures of Darkness and death."

I cut in before he can continue. "And yet, this one is standing here now, with Light given to him by the Traveler, just like any other Guardian. I understand your concerns, Commander, but this isn't something we can ignore. This changes the game."

Another pause. I can almost picture Zavala pinching the bridge of his nose, weighing the implications against his sense of duty. Finally, he speaks.

"What do you propose we do with him?"

"Well, somebody has to keep an eye on him. Teach him the ropes, if you will." I reply. "Fynch is doing his best to guide him through the basics, and he's responding well. He doesn't seem hostile, just… lost. Like any new Guardian. I can bring him to the Tower if you want to examine him yourself."

Zavala exhales heavily, the sound crackling slightly over the comms. "I'll need to speak with Ikora to prepare. Until then, keep him where he is and gather as much intel as you can. And, Mavriel…"

"Yes, Commander?"

"Do not let this compromise the safety of our people. If this is some sort of Hive ploy, we cannot afford to fall into their trap."

"I understand." I say. "I'll keep you updated."

The connection cuts out with a soft click, leaving me standing amidst the ruins with the weight of Zavala's words pressing on me.

Crow hops down from his perch, landing lightly beside me. "How'd he take it?"

"About as well as expected." I admit. "He's letting me handle it for now, but he's skeptical. Can't blame him for that."

Crow crosses his arms, his gaze drifting to the Hive Knight, who's now listening intently to Fynch's explanation of Guardian classes. "Do you think he'll be able to fit in? Even if he's on our side, I can't imagine other Guardians being thrilled about fighting alongside a Hive."

"Hard to say. You've gotten by fine, but your problems are wildly different from the ones he's going to face." I say. "He deserves the same chance any other Guardian gets, though."

Crow doesn't reply, but the tension in his posture softens slightly. Glint hovers beside him, his voice quiet but curious. "What are we going to call him? I mean, all Guardians need a name, right?"

"Up to Fynch." I mutter.

I step closer to the Knight, who turns his glowing eyes toward me. "How's things going down here? Any problems?"

He tilts his head, the chitinous plates of his face shifting slightly. "No."

I glance at Fynch. "Spectre tells me that Ghost's often pick their Guardian's names." I say.

Fynch spins around excitedly. "Oh, uh, yeah! I dub thee… Ken!"

The Knight blinks slowly, tilting his head. "Ken?"

Crow grins, amused. "It's as good a name as any, I suppose."

The Knight, Ken now, smiles. The sight is a bit unsettling, but there's no malice in his aura. He's just happy. "I am Ken."

Before I can respond, a flash of Light catches my attention. A nearby Ghost hovers over an Acolyte, its scanning beam intensifying as the body begins to shift and glow. Moments later, the Acolyte rises, its form infused with the Traveler's power as its Ghost undergoes the same metamorphosis Fynch did.

Crow steps up beside me, his hand reflexively brushing the grip of Hawkmoon. "Looks like it's not a one-time thing."

The other Ghosts, emboldened by the success, scatter across the field, scanning every Hive corpse they can find. Another flash signals the resurrection of yet another Acolyte.

"... Spectre." I mutter to my own Ghost, my voice laced with urgency. "Call Zavala back. I might've bitten off more than I can chew."

Over the course of the afternoon, only two more Ghosts manage to find their partners. Another Acolyte, and a Hive Wizard.

The field is quiet now, save for the occasional murmurs of the remaining Ghosts who continue their scans with diminishing enthusiasm.

Then, the hum of a Jumpship cuts through the stillness, drawing everyone's attention. A heavily modified Arcadia-class jumpship descends, settling amidst the ruins in a cloud of dust. The ship's ramp lowers, and from its shadow emerges Ikora Rey. She's flanked by a small contingent of Guardians wearing the odd gear of the Hidden.

Of course, she'd bring the Hidden. If anyone can keep a secret, it's a spy.

Ikora strides toward me, her expression unreadable. The Hidden spread out, blending into the ruins as if they've always been there despite their odd attire. She stops a few paces away, her sharp eyes taking in the scene.

"Mavriel." She says, her voice firm. "I came as soon as I heard."

"Thanks for coming." I reply, meeting her gaze. "Things have... escalated."

Ikora crosses her arms, her gaze settling on Ken, who stands at the edge of the group, observing everything with an air of quiet curiosity. The newly risen Acolyte and Wizard linger nearby, their Ghosts hovering close like nervous parents.

"Five Hive resurrected by the Light." Ikora says, more to herself than to me. "I never thought I'd see the day."

"But here we are." I reply.

"Here we are." She turns her full attention to me, her tone shifting to something more pointed. "Do you have any idea what you've set in motion?"

"I do." I say, my voice steady. "These Hive were chosen by the Traveler, just like the rest of us. They deserve the same chance any Guardian gets."

Ikora's expression softens, but only slightly. "Mavriel, I understand what you're trying to do. But bringing them into the City, even under strict supervision, would be disastrous. The Guardians aren't ready for this. The people aren't ready for this."

"They won't ever be ready if we pretend the Traveler's choices don't matter." I counter. "We don't get to decide who's worthy of the Light. The Traveler does. Our job is to guide them, not judge them."

Ikora sighs, the tension in her shoulders betraying her frustration. "You know as well as I do that perception matters. Bringing Hive into the City would ignite a firestorm of fear and distrust, one that could undermine everything we've built."

"I'm not saying we throw them a parade." I reply. "But leaving them out here isn't an option. They're Guardians now. They need guidance, training, and a chance to prove themselves."

Ikora studies me for a long moment, her intellect working through the possibilities. Finally, she replies. "If you're determined to see this through, you'll need to use your authority as Speaker to keep things civil. That means dealing with the politics, the outrage, the fear. You'll have to convince the City, the Factions, and every skeptical Guardian that these Hive are more than just a mistake."

Phenomenal cosmic power, and I can't escape politics.

I suppress a groan. I knew this was coming, but hearing it stated so plainly makes the prospect even more daunting. Still, I can't abandon them.

"I'll do whatever it takes." I say firmly. "These newly Risen deserve a fair chance. If that means playing politician, so be it."

Ikora nods, though her expression remains cautious. "Very well. But understand this, Mavriel: if this goes wrong, it won't just be your reputation on the line. The consequences will be far-reaching."

"I know." I reply.

She exhales. "Then we'll proceed carefully. I'll coordinate with Zavala to prepare discreet accommodations."

As she speaks, I notice Ken approaching, his steps tentative but deliberate. He stops a few feet away, his glowing eyes focused on Ikora.

"Is this one of our leaders?" He asks, his voice deep and resonant.

"She is." I reply. "This is Ikora Rey, Warlock Vanguard and one of the wisest minds in the Tower."

Ken inclines his head, a gesture of respect that seems almost instinctive. "I am Ken. Fynch has told me much, but there is still so much I do not understand."

Ikora regards him with a neutral expression. "Understanding will take time. But if you are willing to learn, we are willing to teach."

Ken nods, his posture earnest. "I will learn. I will protect those who cannot protect themselves. This… this is my purpose, yes?"

Ikora glances at me, her expression softening. "Yes." she says. "That is our purpose."

Before she can say more, another Guardian from the Hidden approaches, speaking softly into her ear. Ikora's brow furrows, and she turns back to me.

"We'll need to leave soon to avoid drawing too much attention." She says. "Can your ship hold the… New Lights?"

I nod. "It'll be tight, but it's a short flight to the City anyways. We'll manage."

The flight to the City is quiet, save for the low hum of the ship's engines and the occasional murmurs of the Hive as they adjust to their surroundings. Ken sits closest to me, his imposing frame hunched slightly to avoid hitting his head on the low ceiling. His glowing eyes scan the ship's interior with curiosity.

The three Acolytes and the Wizard cluster together near the back, their Ghosts hovering close. They each seem nervous.

Fynch flits beside me, his own nervous energy filling the cabin. "You sure this is a good idea, boss? I mean, the City's, uh… not exactly Hive-friendly, y'know?"

I glance at him. "That's why we're landing in a Hidden hangar. Ikora's made arrangements to keep them out of sight for now."

Fynch's single green eye swivels toward the Hive Guardians. "Something tells me these guys aren't gonna stay secret for long."

He's not wrong. All it takes is one unexpected civilian seeing them to remove any hint of secrecy we have.

The ship jolts slightly as it descends, the sprawling cityscape giving way to a Hidden hangar nestled deep within the infrastructure. The area is dimly lit, its edges shrouded in shadows, and the Hidden personnel waiting below move with practiced subtlety.

Ikora is there, flanked by two of her agents. As the ship's ramp lowers, she steps forward.

"Welcome to the City." She says evenly.

Ken steps forward, his massive form drawing attention despite his attempt at deference. "We… thank you. This place feels… strange. But nice. Comforting."

The other's seem to be letting Ken take the lead. Interesting.

Ikora replies. "For now, you'll have a safe place to stay and time to adjust. Come."

The Hidden lead us through a series of winding corridors. The Hive Guardians move in a tight group, their Ghosts hovering like sentinels. Ken takes the lead, his movements slow and deliberate, while the Wizard floats along, craning its neck to look at every new object.

Finally, we arrive at a set of reinforced doors. Ikora presses her palm against a scanner, and the doors slide open to reveal a private set of quarters. The space is sparse but functional, with enough room for each Hive Guardian to settle in without feeling confined.

"This will be your home for now." Ikora says, addressing the Hive. "You'll stay here under the Hidden's supervision while we determine the best way to integrate you into our ranks. There will be food, water, and training equipment provided. If you need anything, let your Ghosts inform us."

Ken nods, his expression serious. "We understand. Thank you."

Ikora's gaze lingers on them for a moment longer before she turns to me, gesturing for me to follow her. I fall into step beside her as we exit the quarters, the doors sliding shut behind us with a faint hiss.

She leads me to a small observation room overlooking the Hive's quarters. From here, we can see the Hive Guardians settling into their new accommodations, their Ghosts flitting around in hushed conversation.

"This is a temporary solution." Ikora says, her voice low. "But it won't hold for long. The Consensus will demand answers as soon as word of this gets out, and it will get out."

I nod. "You're calling an emergency meeting?"

"I am." She confirms. "In three days. Zavala and I will present what we know, but you'll need to be there to explain your actions. You're the Speaker, Mavriel. Your authority will be critical in convincing the Consensus that this isn't a disaster waiting to happen."

I lean against the console, exhaling slowly. "And if they don't agree?"

Ikora's gaze hardens. "Then we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. But be prepared for pushback. There are those who will see this as a betrayal of everything we've fought for."

I glance back at the Hive Guardians, who are cautiously exploring their new quarters. "They didn't ask for this. The Traveler chose them. If we abandon them now, what does that say about us?"

"It's not about what's right, Mavriel." Ikora says. "It's about what's possible. And right now, the possibility of a Hive Guardian walking freely in the City is slim to none."

I meet her gaze, determination hardening my resolve. "Then we'll make it possible."

Ikora studies me for a moment, her expression unreadable. "Get some rest. You'll need it."

With that, she leaves, her figure disappearing into the shadows of the hangar. I remain by the window, watching as Ken and the others begin to settle in.

How the hell am I going to convince people to give them a chance?

The quiet is broken by a soft, almost imperceptible sound; a shimmer, like wind brushing through glass needles. I don't need to turn to know who's behind me.

"You're making waves again." Elsie says, her voice low.

I glance over my shoulder, and there she is, standing with her arms crossed, her hood pulled back just enough to reveal her glowing eyes.

"I'm trying to lessen the amount of Ghosts willing to join Savathun, should her great scheme come to fruition." I reply, turning my gaze back to the Hive Guardians below. "You're not here to scold me, are you?"

"Scolding isn't my style." She says, stepping closer. Her voice carries a trace of amusement, but it's laced with the weight of someone who's seen too much. "But I do have concerns."

I feel the faint warmth of her presence as she stops beside me, her focus shifting to the Hive Guardians settling in their quarters. "They aren't as violent as I would have assumed." She murmurs.

{Met 'Fynch' +50 points
Met 'Ken' +50 points

Rolling…

Destruction - Vasavi Shakti - Fate/Legends: Nirvana Yuga (200 points)

Roll Success. Current stockpile: 250 Points.

Purchase Vasavi Shakti?}

Vasavi Shakti

The spear to slay gods, the one shot weapon of the Thunder God that has the legend of destroying whatever it is used against. This enormous weapon, longer than a full grown man, is an exceptionally capable tool to slay Gods. The spear itself is more than capable of slicing and piercing most targets but becomes many times more powerful when faced against anything with Divinity, able to strike at the very core of such beings and deal wounds despite their protections. But when a vast amount of magical energy is forced into the spear, enough that a powerful demigod would feel exhausted from it, Vasavi Shakti awakens to it's true form. Shattering the thick restraints on the spear, an ungodly fire is released in all directions, enough to vaporise the land for miles around. Just a side effect of the power, the spear's tip will unleash a ray of light capable of killing even the most powerful Divine Spirits of the land if struck. This ray tears through all things, even magical concepts such as bounded fields are erased by the power. With even more energy, the power could grow greater and greater. Once used, the spear will slumber in order to repair the damage it sustains from activation, unlikely to answer your call for a day.

Holy shit, that is an amazing roll. And for only 200 points?

Fuckin' YOINK!

The spear doesn't materialize right away. Instead, I feel its presence waiting in the back of my consciousness, dormant, but ready to be summoned when I need it. Similar to the Moonlight Greatsword, then.

I let my accelerated thoughts slow back to normal. Elsie wasn't glancing at me, but I doubt she would have been able to notice anything with how fast my thoughts were moving anyway.

"They still exhibit traces of Hive mentality, but the vast majority of the murderous impulses seem to be more of a learned behavior. Without Hive society, they're fairly normal." I note.

"It's still quite a risk." She tilts her head, her expression unreadable. "But sometimes the most dangerous moves have the greatest potential for change. You've always been willing to push boundaries."

"You say that like it's a flaw."

Her gaze flickers to me, a faint spark of something dancing in her eyes. "It's not. It's just… you. But it does make me wonder where this path leads. What's your endgame here, Mavriel?"

I exhale, leaning forward slightly, resting my forearms on the console. "The Traveler chose them. The Light chose them. Who am I to deny them the chance to be more than what they were? Besides… This should deny the Witch Queen a large chunk of Lightbearers. Most Ghosts would rather live with Humanity than in the brutal hierarchy of the Hive. Simply giving them the option is enough."

She watches me closely, her silence heavy with unspoken thoughts. Finally, she speaks, her voice softer than before. "You always did have a way of looking at the bigger picture. But you know this won't be easy."

I straighten, meeting her gaze. "When has anything worth doing ever been easy?"

A small smile tugs at the corner of her lips. "Fair point."

The room falls quiet for a moment, the weight of the situation settling between us. Then, almost hesitantly, she takes a step closer, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "It's nice to talk to you again. Even if you are a bit… different."

I raise an eyebrow. "For better or worse?"

Her lips curve into a faint smirk, but there's a softness in her expression that catches me off guard. "That depends. You're more stubborn, if that's possible. More daring. But there's something else, too. Optimism."

"I just know everything is going to be alright." I reply, a hint of playfulness creeping into my tone. "You'll help see to that, right Elsie?"

There's a pause, the air between us charged with unspoken words. I can't help but notice the way her fingers flex slightly at her side, as though resisting the urge to reach out.

"Why are you really here, Elsie?" I ask, breaking the silence.

She hesitates, and for a moment, I think she might deflect. But then she looks at me. "Because I care. You're walking a fine line, and I wanted to make sure you knew… you have people willing to help."

Her words catch me off guard, and for a moment, I'm not sure how to respond. "I appreciate that." I say finally, my voice quieter than I intended.

Her lips curve into a faint smile, and she takes a step back, the distance between us suddenly feeling far greater than it is. "Just don't let your idealism blind you, Mav."

She turns to leave. But as she reaches the door, she pauses, glancing back over her shoulder.

"Take care of yourself."

And then, in a flash of temporal energy, she's gone.

"... Damn it, I forgot to ask how to contact her."

CHAPTER 21 END

AN: Ken is the same Knight Fynch would have rezzed in canon. Removed from the toxic environment of the Hive, I'd like to believe the newly rezzed Hive Lightbearers are not much different than Human ones. Luzaku is proof enough that moral Hive can exist, after all. Is it at all likely for Ken to have been in the Cosmodrome, instead of in Savvy's Throne World? It's unlikely, but the lore doesn't make it impossible, so I bent things a bit to put him there.

Vasavi Shakti is way too fucking cheap for how strong it is.