#Destiny 2 short-story

[missrosiesworld]

Unbreakable Bonds

Crow sat comfortably on the floor in the HELM, with Hawkmoon dismantled on his lap. He meticulously cleaned each piece, humming softly while he worked. His concentration was so intense that he wouldn’t hear anyone sneaking up on him.

Aria entered the room silently, her presence almost ethereal. Her tan complexion had a subtle glow, with light shifting under her skin, giving her an otherworldly appearance that hinted at her Awoken heritage. Her striking eyes, a mesmerizing mix of vivid turquoise and deep emerald green, scanned the room before resting on Crow.

She wore sleek, dark Warlock armor adorned with iridescent accents that complemented her glowing skin. The armor was lightweight and form-fitting, designed to enhance her agility and grace in combat. Her long, raven black hair, streaked with vibrant blue and violet, flowed in loose waves down her back. Her makeup was ethereal and beautiful, enhancing her mystical appearance.

Aria moved closer, her steps almost soundless on the floor. As she approached Crow, she took a moment to observe him, noting the careful attention he gave to Hawkmoon.

“Crow,” she called softly, her voice carrying a gentle tone.

When he heard his name, he snapped his head up, eyes widening momentarily. Recognition flickered in his expression as he saw Aria standing there, her otherworldly presence catching him off guard.

“Aria.” He said, surprise laced in his tone. He relaxed a fraction, his shoulders lowering. He placed Hawkmoon carefully on the floor next to him.

Aria took a step closer, her glowing eyes reflecting the dim light of the HELM. "I'm sorry if I startled you," she greeted, her voice calm and steady.

Crow shook his head, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He rested his forearms on his knees, his gaze locked on her. “You’re a stealthy one, you know that?” He replied, his tone lightly teasing. “And you didn’t startle me. I was just... focused.”

Aria allowed a small, amused smile to grace her lips. "I'll take that as a compliment," she said, her voice carrying a hint of warmth. "It's good to see you, Crow."

Crow chuckled softly, appreciating her subtle sense of humor. He gestured with his head towards a space on the floor next to him, silently inviting her to join him.

“Likewise, Aria. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” He said, his expression sincere.

Aria accepted the invitation, gracefully lowering herself to sit beside him. She looked at him with a gentle smile, her glowing eyes reflecting warmth. "It has," she agreed. "A lot has happened since then."

Crow nodded in agreement, his gaze shifting momentarily to Hawkmoon and then back to her. “Too much has happened.” He admitted, his voice tinged with a hint of weariness. He leaned back slightly, using his hands to support himself. “Things are... tumultuous, to say the least.”

Aria nodded, understanding the weight of his words. “They are,” she agreed softly. “But amidst the chaos, we find our strength. And sometimes, it’s the tumult that shapes us into who we’re meant to be.”

Crow let out a dry, humorless chuckle. "That's a nice way to look at it, I suppose. But sometimes I wonder..." His voice trailed off, and his gaze turned contemplative as if he were lost in a sea of thoughts. He paused for a moment before speaking again. "Sometimes I wonder if who I’m meant to be... is even someone worth being."

Aria's eyes softened with understanding and empathy. She moved closer, her presence radiating a quiet strength. She reached out and gently placed her hand on Crow's arm, a reassuring touch grounding him in the moment. "Crow," she said gently, "we all have doubts about our worth, especially when we're haunted by our past. But I see you for who you are now, and you are worth being. More than you know."

Crow’s eyes flicked down towards her hand on his arm, then back up to meet her gaze. A mix of emotions flickered across his face—uncertainty, doubt, and a hint of the lingering guilt he carried. But there was something else there too, something akin to vulnerability. He sighed, her words sinking in, and he spoke with a hint of resignation. "You give me too much credit, Aria. My past is not something easily forgiven."

Aria's grip on his arm tightened slightly, a gesture of reassurance and unwavering support. "Crow, forgiveness isn't about forgetting the past. It's about recognizing the changes you've made and the person you've become. You've shown time and again that you're more than your past mistakes."

Crow looked away for a moment, his expression conflicted. "It's hard to see that when all I remember is the harm I've caused."

Aria gently lifted his chin, guiding his gaze back to hers. "Then let me remind you. Every day, you choose to be better, to help others, to protect those who can't protect themselves. That is what defines you now, not the shadows of who you were."

Crow's eyes met hers, and at that moment, he felt a wave of conflicting emotions wash over him. On one hand, the sense of guilt and doubt still loomed heavily, and on the other, there was a small flicker of hope that her words had ignited. He searched her gaze, looking for any sign of dishonesty or pity, but he found none. All he saw was unwavering conviction and trust.

He exhaled, his breath shaky, and his shoulders sagged slightly. "How do you do that?" He said softly.

Aria's grip on his chin remained gentle, her thumb softly caressing his skin. "Do what?" she asked, her voice equally soft, her eyes never leaving his.

Crow swallowed, his gaze not wavering from hers. Her touch, though soft, seemed to ground him, anchoring him to the present moment. He continued quietly. "How do you see the best in me when I find it so hard? When all I see are my faults and mistakes, you still manage to find something worthy."

Aria's thumb continued its gentle caress on his chin, her eyes soft and filled with unwavering conviction. "Because, Crow, I've seen your actions. I've seen the choices you make every day to be better, and to help others. You aren't Uldren. You are Crow. And Crow is someone worth believing in."

Crow's eyes darkened slightly at the mention of 'Uldren', the guilt of his past transgressions surging forth. But he pushed the feeling down, focusing on her words, on the certainty in her gaze. He closed his eyes, letting her words sink in, allowing them to wash over him.

He took a deep breath before speaking again, his voice barely above a whisper. "And what if I lose myself... again? What then?"

Aria's hand moved from his chin to his cheek, her touch gentle and reassuring. Her other hand came up to cradle his face, softly caressing his skin. "You won't," she whispered, her voice filled with unwavering conviction. "And even if you start to, I'll be here to bring you back."

She leaned forward, bringing his head down until their foreheads rested against each other. The intimate gesture was grounding, a tangible connection that anchored him in the present moment.

"We're in this together, Crow," she continued softly, her breath mingling with his. "I won't let you lose yourself. And you won't have to face any of this alone."

Crow's eyes remained closed as he felt her breath against his face. The closeness of her, the feeling of her hands on his skin, the words she spoke, it felt... comforting, grounding. It was a stark contrast to the usual feelings of isolation he would often feel.

His body relaxed instinctively, tension easing from his shoulders, and he leaned into her touch, seeking her comfort. He let out a shaky exhale, his voice barely audible. "I don't deserve you."

Aria's touch grew even gentler, her thumbs brushing against his cheeks with soft, soothing strokes. "Crow," she whispered, her voice steady and filled with warmth, "you deserve kindness, compassion, and forgiveness just like anyone else. You deserve someone who sees the good in you, even when you can't."

She pressed her forehead more firmly against his, her eyes closing as she focused on the connection between them. "You deserve to be loved and to find peace. And I'm here to remind you of that, every day."

Crow let out a low, shaky breath as she spoke. Her words cut through the guilt and doubt that had settled around his heart like a dark veil. He swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat, his voice slightly hoarse as he spoke. He lifted his hands, gently resting them on hers, holding her hands against his face. He opened his eyes, meeting her gaze once more, his own eyes filled with vulnerability and gratitude.

He let out a shaky breath, his forehead still pressed against hers. "Why... why do you care so much?"

Aria's eyes softened, her breath mingling with his as she held his gaze. "Because I see the person you are, Crow. Not the shadows of your past, but the light of your present and the potential for your future. You've shown kindness, bravery, and a desire to be better. That's worth caring about."

She paused, her thumbs gently caressing his cheeks. "You forgave me for what I did, Crow. You knew I was the one who killed Uldren, and yet you never blamed me. You accepted me, flaws and all. How could I not care for someone like you?"

Crow's heart clenched tightly in his chest as she spoke, her words cutting through the layers of guilt and self-doubt he had been wrestling with. He wanted to believe her, wanted to accept her words as true, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he didn't deserve such unwavering care and compassion.

He searched her eyes, looking for any hint of falsehood, any sign of dishonesty, and found none. All he saw was unwavering sincerity and a quiet determination to make him see his worth.

He closed his eyes again, his voice cracking with a hint of raw emotion. "I... I don—"

Aria gently placed a finger over his lips, silencing him with a soft, reassuring touch. "Shh, Crow," she whispered, her eyes filled with warmth and love. "You don't have to say anything. Just listen."

She moved her hand from his lips to cradle his face, her thumbs gently caressing his cheeks. "You forgave me for killing Uldren. You never held it against me, even when you had every right to. You saw the person I am, not just the actions I've taken. And that's why I care so much about you."

Crow's eyes opened, meeting hers with vulnerability and a glimmer of hope.

Aria continued, her voice steady and filled with emotion. "I see the good in you, Crow. I see the kindness, the bravery, and the strength you show every day. And more than that, I've come to care for you deeply. I love you, Crow. Not just as a friend, but as someone who believes in you, who sees your worth even when you can't."

Crow's breath hitched in his throat as Aria's words washed over him like a warm, soothing current. The mixture of emotions inside him swirled like a storm, a maelstrom of fear, guilt, and a growing hope that he might, just might, be worth her love.

He leaned into her touch, his eyes never leaving hers, his expression of fragility and burgeoning hope. He swallowed as he tried to find his voice, his voice soft and wavering with raw emotion. "You love me?"

Aria's eyes softened even more, her thumbs continuing their gentle caress on his cheeks. "Yes, Crow," she whispered, her voice filled with unwavering sincerity and tenderness. "I love you. Every part of you. I love you for your kindness, your bravery, and your strength. But most of all, I love you for who you are and how you see me."

Crow's breath hitched as he drank in her words, his heart hammering frantically in his chest. Her confession—so unexpected yet so beautiful—was like a soothing balm to wounds he had thought were untreatable.

He took a shaky breath, his voice barely above a whisper as he responded. "How? After everything I've done? How can you love..." He trailed off, swallowing hard, the words stuck in his throat.

Aria, sensing his turmoil, gently pushed him back so he was leaning against the wall. She climbed into his lap, her movements fluid and graceful, and positioned herself to face him. Holding his face close to hers, she framed his cheeks with her hands, her touch warm and reassuring.

"Because you are not Uldren," she whispered, her eyes locked onto his with unwavering conviction. "You are Crow. You are the person who has shown kindness, bravery, and the desire to be better every single day."

Crow's breath hitched as she settled onto his lap, her touch like a life raft in a storm-tossed sea. His hands came up involuntarily to rest on her hips, steadying her and holding onto her like a lifeline. Her proximity was intoxicating, his senses were overwhelmed by her proximity, her perfume, the way her eyes seemed to see right to his soul.

He swallowed heavily, still wrestling with feelings of unworthiness. When he spoke, his voice was a ragged whisper. "But my past... my mistakes..."

Aria leaned closer, her nose gently rubbing against his, her breath warm against his lips. "Those mistakes belong to Uldren, not you," she whispered, her voice filled with unwavering conviction. "You are Crow, and you are so much more than your past."

Crow's eyes filled with tears, the raw emotion of her words breaking through the walls he had built around his heart. He held onto her hips tighter, needing her closeness, her reassurance.

Aria continued to speak softly, her words like a soothing balm to his soul. "You have shown time and again that you are capable of great things, Crow. And I believe in you, more than you know."

She pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, her lips lingering for a moment, offering comfort and love. "You are not alone in this," she murmured against his skin. "I'm here with you, now and always."

Crow's breath hitched as her nose gently brushed against his, her breath warm on his lips, her words sending shivers down his spine. The raw emotion in her voice, the unwavering conviction in her words, it shattered the walls he had erected around his heart, leaving him both vulnerable and strangely exhilarated.

Tears welled in his eyes, his grip on her hips tightening, needing her closeness and reassurance more than he had ever needed anything.

He let her words wash over him like a soothing balm to his soul, the weight of his past and his guilt slowly ebbing away. "You... you—”

Aria looked him in the eyes, her gaze filled with affection and adoration. "I love you so much," she said softly, her voice carrying the weight of her feelings.

Crow's breath caught in his throat at her words, his heart skipping in his chest. He searched her eyes, looking for any trace of falsehood or manipulation, but all he found was unwavering affection and adoration.

Tears streamed from his eyes as he choked back a sob, his body trembling slightly under the weight of his emotions. "I love you too, Aria," he whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. "More than I ever thought possible."

Aria's eyes sparkled with emotion, her tears threatening to spill as she held his gaze. "We'll face everything together," she murmured, her voice a soothing promise. "No matter what comes our way."

Crow nodded, his tears streaming down his face, unbidden and unchecked. The weight of his past still hung heavily on his shoulders, but as he looked into her eyes, he felt a glimmer of hope—the possibility of a future free from guilt and shame.

He pulled her closer to him, his arms encircling her waist, his head resting against her chest. He felt her heart beat steadily against his ear, like a gentle, comforting rhythm. He breathed deeply, inhaling her scent, finding solace in her presence.

"Together," he whispered, his voice a hoarse whisper. "Always."

Aria held him close, her fingers gently running through his hair. She placed gentle kisses on the crown of his head, her touch tender and reassuring. "Always," she whispered back, her voice filled with love and conviction. "I'm here with you, Crow. You're not alone."

Crow's heart swelled with love and gratitude as he leaned into her touch, his eyes closed as he soaked in her gentle caresses. Her words were like a lifeline, a soft beacon of hope amid his turmoil. He felt her fingers running through his hair, the tenderness of her touch sending shivers down his spine.

He wrapped his arms tighter around her waist, pulling her closer, needing the security and comfort her presence provided. He buried his face in the crook of her neck, his voice muffled against her skin. "Thank you... for being here with me..."

Aria's heart ached with empathy and love as she held him close, her hands never ceasing their gentle movements. She felt his breath against her neck, his words filled with raw emotion. "Always, Crow," she whispered, her voice filled with unwavering commitment. "I'm here with you, now and always."

She pulled back slowly, just enough to look him in the eyes, their faces only inches apart. Her hands cradled his face tenderly, her thumbs brushing away the tears that had fallen. Her eyes, filled with affection and determination, locked onto his.

"Look at me," she said softly, her voice steady and reassuring. "You are not alone. You never have to face anything alone ever again."

Crow's breath hitched as she pulled away just enough to look him in the eyes, her hands gently cradling his face. The intensity of her gaze, and the unwavering determination in her words, were almost overwhelming. He could feel the love and affection pouring from her, and it stirred something deep within him, like a long-dormant flame finally reigniting.

He swallowed hard, his eyes locking onto hers. The tears continued to stream down his face, unbidden and unchecked, as he struggled to find his voice. "Never alone..."

Aria repeated his sentiment softly, her thumbs gently wiping away his tears. "Never alone," she echoed, her voice a soothing balm to his troubled soul. Her gaze shifted ever so slightly to his lips before returning to his eyes, filled with love and reassurance.

Crow's breath hitched again as he saw her gaze shift to his lips, and suddenly, he was acutely aware of the tiny distance separating them. His eyes flicked down to her lips and then back up to hers, a thousand unspoken words passing between them. He could feel her breath on his face, and the heat of her body pressed against his.

He swallowed hard, his voice a hoarse whisper. "Aria..."

Aria's heart pounded in her chest, her breath catching as she saw the longing in his eyes. She could feel the intensity of the moment, the weight of everything unspoken. "Crow," she whispered back, her voice filled with love and desire.

Without thinking, he leaned in ever so slightly, his lips hovering mere millimeters from hers, the magnetic pull between them irresistible. "I love you," he breathed, the words a reverent whisper.

Aria's breath hitched at the closeness, her eyes searching his with longing and love. "I love you, too," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. She closed the small gap between them, her lips meeting his in a kiss that was both tender and filled with an undeniable intensity.

Crow's mind went blank for a moment as their lips met in a soft, yet charged, kiss. The contact sent fireworks dancing across his skin, every nerve ending alive with electric excitement. He responded immediately, his hands pulling her closer, holding her against him as if his life depended on it.

He tangled his fingers through her hair, gripping it gently as he deepened the kiss, pouring every ounce of love and desire he felt into the moment.

Aria's response was just as fervent, her hands moving to his shoulders, holding him tightly, as if afraid to let go. The kiss spoke volumes, a silent exchange of emotions that words could never fully capture. It was a release of all the tension, the pain, and the longing they had both felt.

Crow broke the kiss for a moment, his lips moving down to her jaw, leaving a trail of burning heat along her skin. He peppered her neck with gentle kisses, his breath coming in ragged gasps as his body responded to her proximity, to her touch.

He whispered her name again and again, his voice thick with emotion, as if he couldn't get enough of saying it aloud. He nipped at her earlobe, his tongue tracing the curve of her neck, his fingers tracing patterns along her spine.

Aria's hands roamed over his shoulders, pulling him closer, her breath coming in short, shallow bursts. "Crow," she murmured, her voice filled with love and desire. "I love you so much."

Crow's heart swelled at her words, the raw emotion in her voice sending a jolt through his body. "I love you too," he whispered against her skin, his lips returning to hers in a hungry kiss.

He pulled her even closer, their bodies molded against one another, his hands wandering over her body, tracing every curve and contour as if he was trying to memorize her touch, her scent, her very essence. Aria responded in kind, her fingers threading through his hair, her nails gently grazing his scalp as she deepened the kiss. Her body pressed against his, her every movement a reflection of the passion and love she felt for him.

"You're everything to me, Crow," she whispered against his lips, her voice trembling with emotion.

Crow's breath hitched at her words, the raw honesty in her voice sending another jolt through his body. He pulled back slightly to look into her eyes, his gaze filled with love and something almost feral. He traced her bottom lip with his thumb, his voice a ragged whisper. "You're my world," he murmured, his heart thundering in his chest. "Everything I am, everything I have, it's yours. Always."

Aria's eyes shone with unshed tears, her own emotions threatening to overwhelm her. She held his gaze, her hand gently caressing his cheek. "And you are mine," she whispered back, her voice trembling with the weight of her feelings. "I love you, Crow. With everything I have."

Crow's heart swelled at her words, the intensity of his emotions almost too much to bear. He reached up to capture her hand, bringing her knuckles to his lips, and pressing gentle kisses to her skin. He breathed deeply, filling his lungs with her scent, wanting to commit every second of this moment to memory.

He pulled her even closer, his arms encircling her waist, holding her against him like a lifeline. "I'll never let you go," he whispered, the words a promise and a prayer all in one.

Aria's eyes filled with tears of happiness, her heart overflowing with love. She leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead, her lips lingering there as she whispered, "And I'll never leave your side."

Crow closed his eyes, savoring the feeling of her lips on his forehead, the sensation sending a shiver down his spine. He held her tighter, pulling her closer as if trying to merge their bodies into one. His fingers traced soft patterns on her back, his touch gentle and soothing, as he murmured. "Promise me something."

Aria's breath hitched slightly, her heart pounding in her chest as she held him close. "Anything," she whispered, her voice soft and filled with love.

Crow pulled back just enough to look into her eyes, his gaze intense and filled with emotion. "Promise me you'll never doubt how much I love you," he said, his voice raw with sincerity. "No matter what happens, no matter what we face, always remember that you are my everything."

Aria's eyes glistened with unshed tears, her heart swelling with affection. She cupped his face in her hands, her thumbs gently brushing against his cheeks. "I promise," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "I will never doubt your love. And I promise to always believe in us, in our love, no matter what challenges we face."

Crow's eyes softened, the relief and gratitude in them almost palpable. He nuzzled his face into her touch, his breath hitching at the feel of her fingertips against his skin. He wrapped his arms tighter around her, holding her close, like a lifeline in a turbulent sea. "And I promise you the same," he murmured, his voice a whisper in the quiet of the moment. "No matter what, I will always love you, always choose you, always fight for us. That's something I can promise without hesitation."

Aria's heart swelled with emotion, her eyes brimming with tears of happiness. She leaned in, pressing a tender kiss to his lips, her touch filled with love and reassurance. "Thank you, Crow," she whispered against his lips. "For being my strength, my light, my everything."

Crow's heart skipped a beat at her words, a lump forming in his throat. He returned her kiss, pouring every ounce of his love and devotion into it, wanting her to feel the depth of his emotions. He pulled back slightly, his forehead resting against hers, his voice a hoarse whisper. "You're my world, my anchor," he murmured. "You're the reason I keep going. You're what makes everything worth fighting for."

They held each other tightly, their foreheads resting together, their breaths mingling in the intimate space between them. The love they felt for each other was a powerful force, unbreakable and eternal. In that moment, they knew they could face anything together, their hearts and souls intertwined, bound by promises of unwavering love and support. As they sat there, wrapped in each other's arms, they found strength and solace in their connection, ready to face whatever challenges the future might bring, side by side.

-

Character.AI inspired me to write this story.

[elaraves]

The Unexpected Guest

“Draa eet yu!”

The sudden exclamation brought the Exo’s eyes whirling back to life. A young Eliksni dressed in furs and red cloth stood excitedly at the side of his seat, hands gripping scraps and his arm.

By the Light, he only doused off for a minute. He could never catch a break with her.

“Very nice, Vraska,” Dulnefni-12 said in her dialect, through a slight stretch. He moved to sit up more, towering over her height still. “What’cha making this time?”

She happily showed him what she held, explaining that she didn’t want to ruin the surprise.

A small oval-shaped orb of formed metal rested in two of her four palms. Decorative spines and extra stacked plating of similar material were soldered to it. There was some accent tubing and what looked like a side panel. Over it, the mark of her Guardian’s House was etched atop. 

It looked almost like a Ghost shell. Was she making him a new one or was it just another one of her artistic pieces?

“It looks beautiful, kid,” Dulnefni-12 smiled, as he gave her a pat on the head, “Is that for-”

The banner marking the doorway whipped to the side as a Vandal pushed into the wide chambers before him. The Exo’s attention pulled from his young, adopted daughter’s tinkering, who also looked up with curiosity in her sets of eyes.

“Apologies, my Kell. An outsider is at our gate,” the Vandal relayed to the Exo with a slight bow of her head, “They come alone seeking your counsel.”

“Who are they?” he questioned.

It wasn’t completely unheard of for the occasional guests or refugees to find their way to him and his people, but he always liked to know who he was allowing into his house. It was a habit and lesson of caution that he learned in his old days, long before The Last City. There was just enough chance of them adding another member to this ragtag band of families as it was of losing many in blood.

“They wouldn’t say more,” the Vandal chittered, “They’re armed, but were never hostile to the scouts. They came willingly and seemed to know of Eliksni language and custom. They offered this as a token.”

The Vandal raised her hands to extend the object she was holding to him.

A robed figure, his long-time partner in arms, silently walked into view from the outskirts of the room and stood at the Exo’s side. His ally peeked at the item as well, curious for the sudden summons and chatter from those around them. The twisted, weathered horns of his patinaed helmet tilted as he shifted.

Dulnefni-12 tenderly took the bundled gift in both hands, the weight of the contents immediately falling into him as he set it atop his lap. His daughter peeked from the side of his seat, a cooing purr curling from her throat as she watched him. He carefully peeled back the cloth wrapping, the rest of it falling away.

A large, chrome mechanical cluster rested before him. He turned it to the side and recognized its purpose, based on the welded parts and couplings. It was an ether vapor distiller, something that was always highly regarded amongst the Eliksni. He was lucky enough to have two currently in working order, but one would require maintenance in a few months. This offering was most generous, and would mean they wouldn’t have to ration ether during the in-between replacement period.

Purple markings peeked out into his sight on the inside of the cloth behind the distiller. He rolled the machine onto his left leg in order to view it fully.

An angular sigil, under an overhead half circle, lay carefully hand-painted across the fabric. It was obvious to him that this was a flag from another House, based on the craftsmanship of the gift and the way the mark was designed, but he had never seen it before, nor any of its kind. Most House sigils were more organic, with lettering and iconography integrated in to invoke their old ways and home planet. This felt more runic, yet technological. Something old, yet new. Having a new house forming could mean anything from new allies to enemies looking for a quick score and to fend against. His duty as a leader was key to his people now more prominently.

He felt a slight tug at the knee of his pant leg and found his daughter maneuvering into his lap to look closer at what he had, deserting her mini scrap craft. He leaned forward to help her, but was beaten by her growing speed. Soon she would be too big for this, but he’d allow it for a little bit longer.

“Send our guest in,” Dulnefni-12 told the Eliksni guards around him as he helped her settle.

They nodded, turning with their staffs in hand as they walked out the door to follow his order. He handed the distiller over to his helmeted ally, but kept the flag it was wrapped in. His daughter watched the exchange with happy curiosity, her eyes and fingers shifting to the cloth.

Minutes passed before the door shifted open again. The Eliksni escorts led the figure forward before him without a word, before moving to stand guard at the sides behind them.

Their attire was a modest swath of deep, earthy and red tones, with various gear for survival clipped to their belts, over their shoulder, or tucked away in packs. He didn't doubt that they still had some things hidden away, even after being searched. A heavy, layered cloak with furs was draped over their shoulder to keep back the colds of the surrounding mountain heights. They pushed their main pack back behind them with gloved fingers to adjust themselves before speaking.

“Velask, Ge!,” the guest, likely a female based on the tone of voice and figure, greeted him in Eliksni with a respectful bow.

So they did know the language, or at least enough to confidently get by and open greetings with.

“Who are you and what brings you to my doorstep?” Dulnefni-12 questioned immediately in English.

He couldn’t gather much from her, other than the fact that she was humanoid in build under her clothing and armor. Her helmet hid her face, and he couldn’t pick out any identifying notes in her voice from the audio processor that distorted it.

She lifted her head and straightened.

"You prefer English, instead of the language of our Riis-born friends?" she quipped back in Eliksni.

He remained silent, a few beats falling between them.

“Very well...," she sighed, turning to English now, "I'm merely here as a representative, seeking an audience and allyship.”

He leaned forward slightly, the glow of his illuminated, manmade eyes dulling slightly as they narrowed to get a harder, more focused look at her and into her visor. His gun hand instinctually moved down, to prepare if needed at a moments notice.

“Alone without a caravan? For a House I’ve not heard of?,” he continued in suspicion, “I require a name.”

“They call themselves the “House of Light”. They are a collective of refugees, that have allied themselves with humanity.”

“I meant your’s.”

Silence. 

The guest shifted her weight onto her other knee. 

“I’m an old friend,” she said.

"I don't have many of those anymore," he responded, pulling his gun out of it's aged holster now. "A name or you walk."

"You did tell me you might be on the opposing side in the future, so that's a fair response."

Her hands opened and slowly raised, showing that she wasn’t reaching for anything, before meeting the sides of her helmet. A soft hiss of air cut the quiet anticipation of the room as she removed it properly.

A familiar, long unseen face emerged from behind it as her arms, with the helm, rested back at her sides.

Pale blue skin over ripples of active light. An exposed buzzed scalp. Deep red crescent facial markings resting, between and over, orange eyes that burned ever bright. An old scar nicked on her squared chin.

Elara Ves stood wordlessly before him. Her warm and familiar, fond yet sly, smirk of hers slowly pulling at the edge of her lips.

He’d never admit it, but that look always got him, just like the fondness of a parent to a child, when said kid knew how to pull at their parent’s heartstrings. It made sense- he had mentored her, after she found him, when she first rezzed all those years ago.

A wave of pride and nostalgia welled inside Dulnefni-12's mechanical body as he took in a shaky breath. Oh how far they'd both come, since then and when he last parted.

“It’s been a while, Dul,” she said, "Sorry for not wearing your calling card."

[hiseumingo]

Flexing some writing this year for FOTL hosted once again by @d2artevents! As always, it is a pleasure to be a part of such a great community of artists— enjoy!

[crow-posting]

First ficlet posted on AO3! Each chapter in this series will feature a different character and be named after a different type of tea. Thanks for reading! :)

[theaceslittleartcorner]

Day 8: Light Lost

Trying out a new format for the writing. Hopefully it's easier to see.

[jenesmilian]

Day in a life with a curious Ghost

Guardian chilling while reading a book.

Ghost: GUARDIAN! GUARDIAN!

Guardian looks around for Ghost but doesn't see him. Instead a dog is looking at him wagging its tail.

Ghost: I made a new friend!

Guardian realizing the dog has something in its mouth dripping with drool.

Drool covered Ghost: Look he likes me!

With a sigh Guardian takes Ghost out of the dog's mouth and wipes the drool of of him.

After getting all the drool of, Ghost flies up in the air and starts playing with the dog.

Ghost: Guardian Guardian look how he follows me!

Says Ghost while the dog is trying to eat him.

With a shaking head Guardian sits back down and gets back to reading. Hiding his smile behind the book.

[thefirstknife]

Peeked at twitter again unfortunately, and apparently people are mad that this week's seasonal story update was shorter? Literally it's a season that launches with the expansion. Every single one of those was smaller and lighter on the content.

Personally, I am enjoying that this season's storyline isn't too demanding. Clearly I love when we get a lot of lore, and we still get the usual initial dialogues, a lot of new weekly mission dialogues, ending dialogues and radio message + 2 lore pages. I have so much shit to do with Lightfall AND the exotic mission launched today which added so much new stuff to do so I was super glad that I was done with the weekly story in like 20 minutes.

Obviously the story was shorter due to the exotic mission launching alongside it. This seasonal story is also shorter in general, with only 6 weeks (6 lore pages to earn) which I am honestly relieved about because there's so much Lightfall content that I'm barely catching up with and there's the pinnacle grind that's kicking my ass because I don't want to die in every activity because an enemy looked at me. I get so overwhelmed with content when an expansion launches and there's also seasonal content. Sometimes I wish we got no season with the expansion.

So many people want things to slow down a little because we simply do not have time to grind 24/7, but then there's strange people who want a weekly update to require 6 hours of investement I guess. And of course everything in those 6 hours has to be brand new content, never before seen. If I see a single blade of grass that has been used as texture before, then Bungie is lazy. Obviously. /s

The only legitimate problem with this setup is for people who didn't get the expansion and only have the season. Their season is then not the exact same quantity as others. But it's never those people that make these complaints.

[i-am-a-social-experiment]

Destinytober has begun! So above is my first piece, a short posted on AO3.

Here are the prompts, created by @newbabyfly

I’m writing because I am not going to force anyone to suffer looking at my drawings. 😂😂

[have-some-heals]

The bell rang out in the mostly empty store. A soft chime alerting of someone coming or going from the freshly opened shop. Behind a small counter sat an oversized man, the trinkets that filled the shop and lined the edges of the counter assisted in painting the scene with a touch more hilarity. The man looked up at the late coming customer over dirty glasses- his eyes, a warm shade of brown, lingered only a brief moment on the stranger before returning to the small item he was carving away at.

The door hung open just long enough for the awoken woman to slip inside. The event lasted just long enough to let whispers of snow whirl into the shop and dust the wooden floors- just long enough so that tendrils of frigid air could ever so briefly wrap around the shop keep pausing his movements- just long enough that the silence was not as easily shattered as the door latched shut sending out another warm jingle.

The pair looked at each other for a moment as the second chime faded into silence. The awoken moved across the room deftly- precisely- determined. Her hair was pulled back into a messy bun, strands of her purple-blue mane jut out, partially from the rush at which she had pulled it up and partially from the blizzard that was currently devouring the city. The bun, which gave the appearance it would soon fall apart, was shakily held together by a thin piece of flat metal.

A white cloak hugged her neck and draped itself to the floor, it was slightly to long however and dragged slightly behind her, the bottom stained with dirt and now damp from the snowy sidewalks. The cloak mostly concealed her personal fashion choices leave much to be guessed about her status.

In a few steps she was standing in front of the man.

“Welcome in friend” the woodcarver greeted his customer as he continued working. “It is a rather cold night to be visiting without a hat and scarf, perhaps you should visit the shop next door? The old lady and her daughter there would be happy to find you something more weather appropriate” he sat the small figurine he had been working on down to gesture to in the direction of the shop.

“I’ve come for a beverage you specialize in. I was out with a friend and the shop where we got a snack was serving it- Egg Nogg they called it.” she said dropping a bag of glimmer on the counter from within her cloak. “The said you were the only one in the city who was supplying it.”

The bag of glimmer reflected the light and the man looked at it trying to hide the shock from the small fortune the other had dropped on his table. After clearing his throat he shook his head, spikes of black hair falling over his forehead from the movement. “I’d like to help you but I don’t keep any on hand, it isn’t easy for me to store.”

“Then tell me a day and time to be here and I’ll pick it up” the awoken said leaning forward over the counter. “Please? It was so good!” She cupped her face and closed her eyes. “I really want to share it with-“ she cut herself off and returned to her more serious demeanor “I’m willing to pay more if that isn’t enough.”

— — —

“Sybll, what are you doing out here come in before you catch a chill” the shop owner said as he held the door open for the awoken who was standing on the street looking through the shop window at the display that had Been set up.

“Thanks Cole” the awoken replied as she was broken out of her trance. The night sky was clear but the temperature had dropped fast causing the edges of the shop’s windows to ice over. The beauty of it added the scene Cole had set up on display.

The door shut behind the pair and Cole moved to the back room as Sybll looked around the shop to take note of changes that had occurred over the year. Her fingers traced over some of the small wooden figures that were hanging up near the counter. “Are these new?” She called out as she picked one up to look closer at it.

The small wooden figure had been painted and like the others around it was unique in that a loop of twine had been attached to the head of it. The one Sybll had grabbed looked to be in a white lab coat. Others were carved and painted in various other professions Sybll knew of from her short trips down from the tower.

“This year, yes. I figured people might buy them as gifts to hang on their trees.” Cole said as he emerged with box. It clinked as he sat it down. “I made 4 gallons this year for you.” He said with a warm smile. “And Olivia wanted to give you something this year” he held up a small package that had been wrapped in paper and tied with yarn. “Hope it keeps you warm”

— — —

A small sit down area had been added Where Olivia and Sybll sat catching up on the year past. Olivia’s hands had been busy at work adding yet another patch to the hat she had made the strange woman years prior.

“I can make you a new one” Olivia said as she looked at the awoken through one of the new holes.

“I could never ask that of you, plus that hat has kept me warm for countless years. It even has the store logo from before you became Mr. & Mrs. Nichols” Sybll said sipping at her Egg Nogg.

“It really won’t be a bother I’m going to have a lot of time on my hands”. Olivia gave a warm smile and touched her abdomen winking at Sybll.

A pang of grief washed over the Awoken but it was short lived. Clanking and popping of wood on wood filled the shop breaking the peaceful exchange.

“Mother f-“ Cole started but silenced himself looking at the broken jars of Egg Nogg that now painted the floor.

“Looks like I will be back for a visit sooner than normal” Sybll laughed out as she moved to help clean the mess.

— — —

“Kid number three? Seems to bold of an adventure for me” Sybll said as she played peek-ah-boo with the current youngest of the Nichols family over their now empty dinner plates. “But congratulations!” She quickly tried to recover. “How old are you now Hayles?” She asked the oldest child of the two shop keepers.

“I’m this many” the young Nichols said holding up three fingers.

“Cole, Olivia, Haylee, Micah… I can’t wait to hear about the adventures of your new family member.” Sybll raised her glass smiling as she looked over the family.

— — —

“Steph, where’s your dad I thought your winter break was starting next week” Sybll said as she hugged the youngest of the three Nichols children.

Steph hugged the family stranger back, a bit tighter this year compared to the last. “Dad.. Dad is at home” the answer was unusually soft compared to what Sybll had come to know. “I took my finals early to be home with everyone.”

“I see, perhaps it would be best if you let your mom know I need my hat patched up. Maybe I can do a house call.

— — —

Sybll sat in the back of the church as the priest spoke.

“Olivia was crafty with her hands…” he said.

Sybll gripped the hat tightly, it had been the first of many Olivia had come to make her but for Sybll it had also become more. The first gift she had received after becoming a guardian, a symbol of what she was protecting, a grounding wire to why she couldn’t let the darkness swallow her and the city.

“Christmas was always Grandma’s favorite time of year so it was fitting for her to give us this last one.” Said one of Hayle’s eldest sons. He was now in his 20s by Syblls math.

“When dad died last year I thought I had stopped breathing and I would never start again, but mom said something that helped me take a breath.” Micah had started his story, one Sybll didn’t care to relive at the moment.

She stood quietly and exited the church unnoticed. In a few brief thoughts she was outside the shop where this journey had begun.

“Analysis complete for Olivia Nichols” Veles said materializing. Normally Sybll would have cared but all she felt was numb. “Cause of death: Natural, old age. Age at time of death: 87 years old.”

— — —

The shop no longer sold carvings of wood, nor hand made winter items. It was instead filled with books of all sorts. Sybll sat in a corner her foot tapping gently against the box where her Egg Nogg was stored as she read.

“Sybll, I hate to ask, can you watch Cole?” The woman asked. Sybll looked up at a descendent of the original shop owner. At some point Sybll had lost full count of how many generations had come and gone. Despite that each year, no matter which family member was owning or running the shop they always had a batch of Egg Nogg ready for their family’s immortal visitor.

“I think Kami is a better fit.” She kicked the shin of the warlock she had brought with her who was buried in a book. “But it isn’t a problem Mei, I’ll be here until you or Cassidy get back”

— — —

[jolyontill-therachis]

Cosmic horrors writhe

At the idea of him and I.

Stardust burns in our veins

And we're more than mortals.

Love is more than trust...

Love is safe and kind.

And when I look into his eyes,

It's love that I find.

Together, where the tall crow rests with his head on the lap of his lover, they're safe.

The smaller's fingers knotted in silken hair strands without a worry.

The stars watch and keep them safe and neither wish to speak.

Uldren's hands, in his hair, and his head light on the fabric of the other's suit pants.

The illusion is strong, here.

They're just men.

Simple men.

Men who love each other.

The illusion is bound to fade and soon they'll once again have to hide this affection from onlookers, they only wanted to just be...

Together, they recounted the way soft lips met so tenderly unto scarred and cracked ones, beneath the misted haze of green.

The way the red petals had caressed the crow's back as the prince laid atop him.

Looking down.

Ignoring the biomechanical horrors of robotic bugs with hollow shells and branched wires with metallic teeth, they had been so free, even surrounded by such nightmarish horrors.

There had been nothing but gentle kindness in those golden eyes.

Uldren was starting to forget, and these simple desperate grabs at better times out the way of prying eyes were all Jolyon had left to remind him and it was all he could bring himself to do.

The words never once left his lips, no, never directly to the object of his affections and to those aside he'd never dare frame it anything more than friendship.

I regretted that, now

As the last of the petals

Fell to the ground with the gentle gust

Displacing them from the stems

Of wildflowers planted here.

Evil things, they were,

That I'd let my lover bring home.

[graveyard01]

Deathless, or the Guardian visits their grave once more

Saint-14 stared at the grave and the crushing uncertainty of tomorrow.

“All who find what we’ve left here – please leave it be.” He spoke, desperation straining his voice. “Unless… Unless you’re still out there somewhere. You’ve performed miracles before.” He paused, rearranging his thoughts.

“In which case, take it. And come back to us. And we’ll kill what killed you. Or die trying.”

Saint-14 stopped, hoping against all hope that something would happen, that the guardian would defy death one last time and reappear when they needed him the most. But death was cold, cruel, and uncaring. And not even gods can escape death forever; the guardian showed him that quite well.

He sighed and turned around, head held downcast. The remaining guardians, what few remained and found time to attend this, were also silent. Some in respect, some in awe, and all in fear.

Saint-14 almost reached Ikora before he suddenly stopped and raised his shotgun at the grave, an experience built from centuries of endless conflict screaming at him. He could feel it in his guts, the inexplicable feeling of time being twisted and contorted by the Vex.

Ikora reacted a moment later, void light burning in the palm of her hand before even the rest of the guardians could ready their weapons.

And then the world twisted. Shadows darkened, and color faded from the world. The horizon was stretched, space warping in an eye-watering manner before –

Bastion.

The armor they wore was old and archaic, almost like a knight straight out of a fairy tale, with a tattered cape tied around their neck. An unfamiliar sword lay sheathed at his hip. But the gun in those hands was an old and familiar friend, and the hands holding it –

“Guardian…” He whispered. Even with her being behind him, Saint-14 could almost feel the double take Ikora made, but he paid her no mind. The guardians in attendance were in a full-on frenzy.

The Guardian nodded and gently laid a hand on their coffin, slowly brushing against the remains of their lifeless Ghost. A deceptively delicate action from hands that could shatter entire armies.

There were many things Saint-14 wanted to say and so many more emotions he did not know how to convey. He wanted to cheer in happiness. He wanted to apologize. He wanted to rage at the Guardian for making him worry. He wanted to cry for their loss.

He opened his mouth to speak and –

The lightless, hollow shell now burned with new light.

 ***Bonus***

“What do you mean there were bets on the Guardian coming back to life?”

[missrosiesworld]

A Moment of Peace

Soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow over the room. Her olive complexion and subtle glow hinted at her half-human, half-Awoken heritage as Aria stirred slightly. Eyes of turquoise and emerald fluttered open. A smile spread across her face as she took in the familiar sight of Crow beside her. His blue-grey complexion and bright, golden eyes were softened by a peaceful expression.

As Aria's long, raven black hair spilled over the pillow, its vibrant blue and violet streaks framed her face and contrasted beautifully with the tan of her skin. With loose waves and occasional braids adorned with glowing beads, her hair radiated an ethereal beauty.

Crow lay on his back, one arm draped over his head, the other resting lightly on Aria's waist. His chest rose and fell with deep, even breaths. Aria couldn't help but reach out, her fingers tracing the lines of his jaw and the curve of his lips. He looked so serene, so at peace, that she almost didn't want to wake him.

Despite how much she treasured these quiet moments, the day awaited them. She leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead, then his nose, and finally his lips. "Crow, it's time to get up," she whispered, her voice gentle but insistent.

Crow groaned softly as he turned towards her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her closer to him. "No," he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep. "Stay here. Just a little longer."

Aria chuckled, running her fingers through his dark hair. "We have things to do, remember? We can't stay in bed all day."

Crow opened one eye, peering at her with determination and affection. "Who says?" he countered, his voice more awake but still playful. "We deserve a day off. No Guardians, no missions, just us."

Aria sighed, pretending to be exasperated, but the smile on her face gave her away. "Crow, you know we can't just ignore our duties."

Crow tightened his hold, nuzzling his face into the crook of her neck. "Just one more hour," he pleaded, his voice taking on a cute, almost childlike quality. "Please?"

Aria's resolve melted at the sound of his plea. She sighed, her fingers still gently tracing patterns on his back. "Fine," she relented, her voice soft. "One more hour. But then we really have to get up."

Crow smiled against her skin, pressing a kiss to her neck. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice filled with contentment. He shifted slightly, pulling her even closer, his body molding against hers.

Aria relaxed into his embrace, enjoying the warmth and comfort of his proximity. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to savor the moment, the feeling of his heart beating steadily against hers.

As they lay there, wrapped in each other's arms, the world outside seemed to fade away. It was just the two of them, in their own little bubble of peace and love. And for that hour, nothing else mattered.

Crow's fingers traced soft patterns on her back, his touch gentle and soothing. "I love you, Aria," he murmured, his voice a low rumble.

Aria smiled, pressing a kiss to his shoulder. "I love you too, Crow," she replied, her voice filled with warmth. "Always."

Crow, known for his soft-spoken and kindly demeanor since his resurrection, felt a surge of gratitude. Despite the hostility and grief he had faced from other Guardians due to his past as Uldren Sov, Aria had always seen him for who he was now. She had helped him navigate the complexities of his identity, and in her presence, he felt understood and loved.

"I'm never letting you go," Crow whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "You're my anchor, Aria."

Aria's heart swelled at his words. She knew how much he struggled with his past and the remnants of his old identity, but she also saw the good in him, the kindness and bravery that defined him now. "And I'm never leaving your side," she murmured, her voice steady and reassuring. "We're in this together, now and forever."

Crow tightened his hold, his heart pounding with the certainty of their bond. "Forever," he echoed, his voice filled with conviction. "I love you, Aria."

"And I love you, Crow," she replied softly, her fingers gently caressing his face.

As they lay there, entwined in each other's arms, the bond between them grew even stronger. Together, they could face any challenge, their love and commitment unbreakable. In that quiet, precious moment, they both knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, their hearts forever entwined.

[the-corner-window]

As Light Falls

“Are you taking inventory again?  Look at all this equipment...” Ghost flits around the hall of the H.E.L.M, eyeballing the assortment of firearms leaning on the walls as I prod at the Vault terminal to tag defunct guns for dismantling.  He zooms over and hovers above a white auto rifle with gold inlaid Cabal markings. “Oh wow! I haven’t seen this one in years, I thought you got rid of it after the whole... Shadow incident.” I pause from my tinkering with the screen and look back at the gun.  Ghost was busy idly scanning the mechanisms within, simple enough to be readily synthesized from glimmer if discarded or damaged. “It’s a good gun.” I curtly remark, turning back to resume organizing a hoard of gear. “Do you ever wonder how things would have changed if we hadn’t stopped the assault on the Spire of Stars?” Ghost ponders, slowly floating over the minefield of worn out armor scattered along the floor. “Would we have ever met Caiatl? Would we have been able to fight off House Salvation long enough for Rasputin to...” “I don’t linger on ‘what-ifs’ like Elsie and Osiris, we just have to face consequences we’re dealt and adapt... or collapse.” I posit, walking over to take the familiar Ghost Primus in-hand and tracing along the gilded patterns.  “They do well to learn from the past, but I tend to hope for the future.  There’s not enough room for hesitation when we’re facing down what foes may come.” “That hope seems more distant than ever before.” Ghost murmurs as he drifts to the bridge window. The H.E.L.M is making it’s way back into the station, now overlooking the City. The skyline is unsettlingly hollow bereft of the Traveler.  Maintenance frames can be heard behind closed doors clearing out the facilities from our major operations, along with the heavy footfalls of Imperial Legionnaires under command of Lord Saladin.  Masked by the muffled rummaging, the ethereal buzz of a transmat abruptly sounds from the War Table.  Light-footed steps characteristic of a Hunter trail into the bridge and stop at the edge of the communications terminal. “You finally going to take those to your quarters?” I ask aloud now sifting through armor. “At least I don’t treat half the bridge as a laundry room” Crow chides with a chuckle.  Despite his tone it’s easy to tell something weighs on his mind, which for him in particular is typical. “He left them for you as a parting gift.” I say, tracing the honed edge of the iron battle axe with my eyes.  “You know what he meant by it.” Crow takes the medallion into his hand and runs his thumb between the engraved wolf heads.  The battle axe stands unmoved since the day Saladin became Bracus Forge, having since rose in rank to become a Valus on the Imperial War Council. “I heard that you’ve earned a legacy of your own ‘Young Wolf’.  How do you seem to handle everything that’s thrown at you in stride so readily?” Crow asks, still feeling over the surface of his amulet. “I don’t.” I said bluntly, before continuing on. “The Taken, the Red War...” “...Cayde.” Crow stutters as he grips the medallion tightly.  “I realize it must be hard to have me around so often.” “I’m grateful that you’re here with me.  I know that it wasn’t you during all of that mess, and I forgave you, as Crow, before we’d even wrested you from The Spider’s web.  But it took me a long time to forgive Uldren... back on the Leviathan.  But when I look at you I don’t see him anymore, I see a companion who’s endured far more than any New Light should.  A friend that I trust to step up when it’s needed.” “And I see my Guardian, who didn’t abandon me even when it meant he’d suffer as well!” Chimed in Glint, Crow’s ghost who had been buzzing around my own catching up on some chatter. “The point is” I continue, “I’m not an unflappable force of nature.  We’re both still human despite having been chosen by our ghosts.  I’ve stumbled, and I’ve had lessons to learn along my own journey.  We’re both young and reckless in our own ways.  What matters is that we make our recklessness count for something in the end.” “You don’t sound young, you sound like you’d have seen Twilight Gap firsthand.  But I guess I never realized that it’s only been 8 years for you... so much has happened in less than a decade.” “It’s hard to say what will happen next with The Witness on our doorstep.  Keep your eyes up, guardian” Crow nods with a new look of determination, takes hold of the battle axe, and with a simple “Let’s go Glint.” transmats out, leaving me to my ‘laundry’.  I clean up my mess with the H.E.L.M still bustling with grunting and clangs as the Eliksni board to relocate the captain’s atlas.  I nod to Miisraaks and Eido before stepping out into the City streets for the first time in what feels like forever.  It’s about time I go grab a nice bowl of ramen, maybe I’ll see if the clan wants to join. 

[hopeless-writer]

Europan Secrets

The snow storm swirled violently around Pixie, and she was having a horrible time trying to keep herself in the air. Visibility was reduced to a few meters, while the wind was quickly wiping away her Guardian’s foot prints. Panic griped her as white began to swallow her whole. Had it not been for her shell, and the fact that she’s was part of The Traveler, she was sure she would have died in the storm.

“Guardian? Where are you?”

“Here,” came a reply from her Guardian.

“Where’s here? I can’t see anything but the snow.”

“Right in front of you.” The voice came again, but this time a gloved hand touched her shell.

“Thank the Light. I thought I’d never find you. Now, we need to get back to the ship. I have to get you back to The Last City. Zavala will be eager to get you settled in with your duties now that you’re alive again.”

“No, not until I have some answers.”

“And you’ll get them, at The Tower.”

Her Guardian sighed, “No. Something called me, called us here. I’m not leaving until I have answers.”

“But, you’re just back from the dead. I need to get you back to The Tower, back to the Vanguard. They can explain everything.”

“I can’t, if you won’t come with me, then I’ll go alone.”

Pixie beeped in frustration and found her way into her Guardian’s hippack.

New life, a second life. At least that’s what Pixie said, but Noxa was weary. She had no knowledge of her past life. Pixie had told her that she was brought back because something called The Traveler had sent her to find Noxa. It was all so hard to believe, she had been dead one moment, then alive the next.

She spent a week trying to get acquainted with her new reality, trying to harness what Pixie called The Light. She quickly found that she was unable to die, anytime she tried Pixie would bring her back good as new. After a few days she had learned to coalesce The Light into a small explosive, and found that she had the ability to use this new power to propel her to higher places in one jump, and then use The Light in mid air allowing for a second jump. She still had to eat and drink to maintain her energy, but like with the falls before hand, she found if she expired from dehydration or lack of food, her ghost would bring her back.

There was a lot to learn in the beginning, and Noxa was sure there was even more to learn, but for now the only thing that drove her was the mysterious signal she received when she found her first Jump-ship and left the place known as The Tangled Shore behind her.

She tracked the source of the signal to a frozen moon in orbit around a planet called Saturn. Pixie had warned her that Europa was deemed off limits by The Vanguard, a group of fellow Guardians that protected the last remnants of Humanity from hostile forces.

“Wait, something’s wrong.” Pixie said from the inside her hiding place.

“What? How do you know? I can’t see anything.” Noxa said, raising her semi automatic scout rifle into a ready position.

“It’s some kind of presence, something trying to invade my light,” the little ghost said, her shell shivering a little, “we need to leave. There’s something here and it’s not good.”

“Not until I have answers.” Noxa replied, continuing forward.

The snow storm started to subside a little, and Noxa could start to make out shapes in the distance. She wasn’t sure what it was, but she wasn’t going to take any chances. Her new life had been a rough one so far. While she explored her new powers, she had run into a group Pixie had dubbed The Scorn. They were monstrous creatures, filled with something called Dark Ether. It had allowed them to return from death multiple times, but each time corrupted them further into madness. Pixie had said they had once been something called Fallen, a spider like race that once worshiped The Traveler before their society’s collapse. Now, however, thanks to Dark Ether they were but shells of their former selves. Twisted beyond recognition, and wholly devoted to someone named Uldren. All of this just made her head hurt, far to much information for a newly resurrected brain to handle.

She took a deep breath, let it out slowly and looked through her gun’s scope. She wanted to know what she was dealing with before she continued onward. The snow had other ideas however, from this distance she could only get vague shapes wandering through the blizzard.

“Damn, I’m going to have to get closer.” Noxa muttered.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. We don’t know...wait, I’m picking up a different signal than before. It’s Fallen. We should leave before they see us.” Pixie warned.

“What, and miss all the fun? I’ve been itching to test my abilities further.” Noxa said through a smirk.

“I really don’t think that’s a good idea. You need guidance, and that’s at The Tower, with other New Lights, and the help of the Vanguard.” Noxa’s ghost advised.

“One thing I’ve learned about myself. I’m better off on my own.” Noxa said checking her ammo.

Noxa shifted herself into invisibility, thanks to something called Void Light, and made her way closer. When she was finally in range she slipped behind a snow drift just as the invisibility was wearing off. The snow, though it had subsided a little, was still making vision difficult. She was able to see small robots floating just a couple of meters off the ice and snow. Before she could ready her scout rifle to take a shot, a dozen more figures emerged from the snow beyond the little machines. There were two types, one held a long rifle in two clawed hands, while two other arms hung at their sides, the other seemed to be a bit smaller, and with only two arms. What unnerved her the most was the soft blue light their four eyes were emitting. She looked through her scope to get a better look, and noticed that they all had some kind of breathing apparatus covering what she hoped was a mouth.

“What is that?” Noxa asked, retrieving the ghost from her pack.

“Fallen, but I’ve never seen their house symbol before.” Pixie replied, her glowing eye transfixed on The Fallen.

“House symbol? Is that like a caste system or something?” Noxa asked, sinking behind the snow drift.

“Sort of, it’s a long story. Quick version is each house has a specific role in Fallen society. This one, is new.”

“What’s that around their necks?”

“It’s their Ether supply. They need it to survive, it’s their only source of food.”

“So, are they friendly?”

“I’ve never known The Fallen to be friendly. I think we should avoid them and go back to the ship.”

Before Noxa could reply there was a screech from behind. She whipped her head around to see one of the four armed Fallen standing behind her, it’s gun pointed at her head. Without thinking she drew her scout rifle and fired a shot into it’s skull. A plume of smoke erupted from it’s breathing apparatus causing it to scream and claw at it’s face. It fell to the snow with a muffled thump, and in an instant the others were firing their weapons. Noxa focused for a second, and the explosive was in her hand again. She threw it, and shifted again into invisibility. The grenade went off, causing a small void to open at it’s location, causing a few of the smaller Fallen to collapse in on themselves, plumes of Ether escaping from their ruined bodies. The ones that weren’t caught in the small gravity well, began firing in earnest where Noxa had been. Giving her plenty of opportunity to circle around behind them and unleash a few rounds of her own.

In an instant two of the taller Fallen were slain, but there wasn’t a moment of reprieve. The small robots were armed, and firing their own weapons at her. She felt pain as some of the rounds hit, leaving small burns where they made their impact. Without thinking, Noxa called on her power again, this time a small device appeared in her hand, she threw it towards the machines. It stuck to one of them, and then a plume of dark smoke formed around them, temporarily blinding the machines. She slung her scout rifle in favor of a shotgun she found when she first landed on the moon, and moved into range. She slid across the ice, leveraging her lower profile, to avoid on coming fire from the ones outside of the smoke, and unleashed a few rounds into the machines. The other Fallen having seen her display retreated back into the snow storm. Noxa smiled to herself, loving the feeling of victory. It was short lived, another screech was loosed, this time answered by a lower pitched Fallen. She knew her fight wasn’t over. A larger figure made it’s way through the snow, it was at least three times as big as the ones with four arms. In it’s arms was a far larger weapon than the others were carrying. It raised one of it’s arms in a rallying cry, that was reciprocated by more beyond the snow.

“This is bad, that’s a Captain. You’re not ready for this. We have to get out of here, now!” Pixie urged.

“I can handle this.” Noxa replied confidently.

“No, you can’t. You need more training. You need to listen to me.”

Noxa smirked under her helmet and rushed the Captain with her shotgun. In response the Captain raised it’s arm and in an instant Noxa was pushed back. She tried to catch herself, but she wasn’t able to move her arms. She hit the ice uncontrolled, and slammed into a snow bank. She tried again to move her arms again, but they wouldn’t listen to her. She called for Pixie, but the ghost didn’t respond. This was very bad, why didn’t she listen to her? The Captain pulled her from the snow bank and righted her. When she was fully upright she was able to see what was happening better.

It looked like her lower body, hands included, were bound in some kind of ice. It was colder than the surrounding air, something that surprised Noxa. The Captain let loose a gravelly laugh and lowered his face to meet hers.

“This is power. The Great Machine, holds us no longer.” The Captain said, a cold glow in one of it’s hands. The ice started to cover her face, and her lungs were freezing in place. She only just returned to life, now darkness filled her sight and she found herself yearning for it’s embrace.

Embrace this gift. Open yourself, and let our power flow through you. We can help you, we can save you.

The darkness consumed her, but she was still conscious. The cold seeped down into her core, and began to resonate within her. Slowly she broke one arm free, then another, as her vision started to return she saw her skin was covered in a shimmering blue ice. In her hands were two cold kamas, made from the ice that was her temporary prison. Instinct took over and she threw one, then after a quick twist of her body she released the second. Where the first landed it exploded and instantly froze the Captain and at least half a dozen other Fallen that had once been obscured by the blizzard. When the second landed a tornado formed, but it wasn’t just wind swirling but far more damaging. The tornado shattered the smaller Fallen entirely as it made it’s way towards the Captain. It made contact just as the Captain broke out of the ice, and tried to scuttle away from the sight it now faced. It was no use, the tornado had instantly encased it in ice once again.

Noxa felt the cold flowing through her veins, but it didn’t make her shiver. It only seemed to empower her further. She tried reaching for her smoke bomb and instead was greeted by two shurikens made of pure blue ice. She launched them one at a time towards the large ice crystal that use to be a Fallen Captain, and they sent cracks splintering through out it. Noxa grabbed her shotgun from the remains of her prison, and made her way to the Captain. She placed a hand on the tomb, smirked and unloaded a round into it. Where there use to be a Fallen Captain, now only large blocks of blue ice remained, the body still trapped in each of them.

Pixie floated lazily out of Noxa’s bag, small ice crystals falling from her shell. She surveyed the carnage that lay before her and Noxa. She blinked her singular eye, then turned to Noxa.

“What...what happened here?” Pixie asked, afraid what the answer maybe.

“I’m not sure. I was frozen in that ice block back there,” she pointed to the snowbank behind her, “then I heard a voice telling me they could save me if I opened myself to their power. Next thing I know I’m free and with a power that I’ve never felt before. Do you think The Traveler spoke to me?”

“The Traveler doesn’t speak, and I’ve never seen this kind of power from any Guardian. I’m afraid that this is something else all together, and I’m not certain it’s even a good thing.” Pixie replied flatly.

“I see...” after a long pause Noxa continued, “I think you’re right, I think I should go to the Tower now. I’m afraid whatever called me here, isn’t safe for me, yet.”

Pixie nodded, and flew back into Noxa’s pack as she started to move. The blizzard subsided, and as Noxa made her way back to her jump ship a hooded figure examined the icey remains of the Captain. Two more people joined her, a man with a rebreather in his mouth and a large hand canon on his hip, and another woman with three glowing eyes and a green orb floating in her hands.

“Think she’ll be back?” The man said, his voice cocky and dripping in smoothness.

“Quiet Rat, I think the important question here is can she control the power she’s gained?” The woman with three eyes said.

“I think we’ll have to wait and see, my timeline didn’t have her in it, nor half the Guardians there are now.” The first woman said, her voice sounding like it was coming from an electronic speaker box in her mouth.

[lynxfrost13]

How would y’all feel if I told u that I play video games that aren’t exclusively warcraft and gw2

[l3rking]

Still thinking about the guy I did an lfg (non-master) Kings Fall with who was consistently dying and just raging the whole time.

We were trying to help so we asked what he was using and it was…incredible. Scathelock, Sunshot, and a sword. Void titan, bubble, with no aspects or fragments slotted. When we asked why he said he’d rather die before making a build in Destiny.

We kicked him almost immediately.

I’m the last person to gatekeep Destiny. I want anyone to have the opportunity to play and see why I love it so much. But have y’all ever had someone that just really made you ask, “why do you even have this game installed?”.