Light. Exploits; Book I.

Part 11. Stepping Stone.

Priest had lead me to a small little cave in amidst the rocky alcoves of the mountains surrounding Tartarus.
The air smelled of sulfur and Arc.
My arm was good as new now.
But I would be sure to avoid his wrath again.
It's just this way, he said as he lead me up.
I couldn't help but awe at his size and stature.
He was broad. Thick. Just massive.
Like a Titan should be.
So I've read stories of old Earth warriors called Vikings, I say matter of factly.
You seem like what they had in mind.
I hear him laugh.
What doesn't kill me, should run. He responds simply.
I rolled my eyes, smiling.
This one would be fun.
Like my success story.
Or the thing that gets me actually killed.
We'll see.
He walks me into a little cave with a bed, table and a couple of little chairs.
Sit, he says as he takes off his helmet.
I'd rather stand. I say looking at the Vex light boxes he uses to light the place.
You want me to break your fuckin arm again? He says looking at me.
His jaw is boxy. Broad like his body.
He looks like the epitome of a pissed off warlord.
Not particularly, I murmur.
Then sit your ass down, he demands.
I comply.
So much for not testing his wrath, I say to myself.
I flip my coat over the edge of the seat at fold my hands on the table waiting for him.
He sits and places an unfamiliar looking shotgun before me.
I'd seen it, of course.
But I didn't have one.
It was Hive make.
Dark and twisted.
But it had strength.
Put your weapon down. He says.
I assume he meant not my Mida.
I took my secondary weapon. A sniper Rifle.
Broken Truth.
A gift from Dead Orbit.
He looked at it and smirked.
So you're a distance fighter? He asks reaching for my rifle.
On occasion, I say as he turns it over in his hands.
I have a little something for a little of everything, I finish as he places the stock at his shoulder.
This is light, he says putting it back down.
Suits me. I reply plainly.
He looks at me and takes his weapon back.
So I know you've been trying to read me. He says.
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't.
I'm a Warlock. It's what I do. I say as if defending myself.
I can't blame you. It's in your nature. Just like me to kill the shit out of everything. He snorts.
I roll my eyes again.
But I dared not to take my eyes off of him for too long.
He looks at me and sighs.
What're you doin here? He says fatherly.
I sigh and look at the wall with my eyes.
I don't know why I had trouble spitting out why.
I need to find them. I say softly.
Find what? Priest barks quietly.
I suppose my voice was too soft.
I need... To find them. I quiver.
Who? He asks.
The Champions? He asks.
I feel as if the universe is pressing upon me. Trying to squash me with its awesome mind numbing vastness.
Yes... I whisper.
He stands up and walks to a chest in the corner.
It's Glimmer shines in the room.
Well why didn't you say so? He says almost happily.
He tosses me a glint of Glimmer.
I catch it as he heads to leave.
Why do I need Glimmer. I say plainly.
I meant it not as a question.
That's not Glimmer. And I have to show someone who appreciates what it is what I've found, He entices me.
My mind is focused again.
He senses my unnerve.
I was "losing it." And he knew.
He must know Toland.
And Osiris.
He knows how to deal with a Warlock like only a Warlock does.
Where are we headed? I ask.
The Vault.