Light. Exploits; Book I.

Part 24. The Tettering Trail.

Eva gave Rei and I all the information we needed before we would embark on our journey.
We were seeking an artifact of Vex mythos.
A Heart of Power.
A jewel cut and carved in the exact shape of a heart.
Vex power coursing through it.
Said to make the desires of whosever
heart touches it a reality.
Also said to be guarded by Protectors of The Heart.
A Vex collective mind whose sole purpose is to guard, and destroy anyone who may infiltrate, the trail leading to the shrine it's housed in.
Before we departed, I had one question for Eva.
Eva, how do you know all this?
She merely smiled and said softly, secrets child. Always keep secrets. I have my sources.
I shrugged, accepting the answer.
We are all entitled to our secrets.
This was sometime into my Guardianship. I was well versed and theorized in my abilities.
But I still made sure not to walk the Void.
I felt myself not ready for it.
And it was only by sheer luck, I presumed, that Rei was quite the Defender.
Shaping her Void Light into the impregnable wall we needed.
Mayhap I could have had her teach me.
But that would wait.
As we descended from our ships, we relished the idea of stretching our legs and beginning our hunt.
We were getting free rein to scour the region and find treasure.
It was like a dream come true.
I could hardly contain my smile.
Rei was a little more subtle.
Man, I can't believe this! She sighed happily as we took a moment to make sure we were prepared.
I was using a scout rifle, machine gun and Patience and Time.
I was lucky enough to receive that from an Engram.
So you're my overwatch? Rei smiled.
As much as you're my anchor. So don't die. I say with a bounce in my voice.
As long as you don't miss, she said in a singsongy voice.
Using the coordinates Eva gave us, we were on the other side of The Vault of Glass.
Near The Endless Steps. The massive Vex gate that, once, spawned a Gate Lord.
Uh, that gate is still active, Rei says nervously. Shouldn't we be worried?
No, I say leading the way, just cause it's on, doesn't mean anyone's home. Far as I know, the whole area around that gate; from the steps up, is War Cult territory.
Rei followed behind closely, ah, so we're safe?
I smiled, well this is still Venus, so... Sure. I'd honestly worry more about agents of the War Cult. Who knows what Lakshimie really wants out here. I say trailing off.
What do you think it is? That she wants I mean, Rei asks following close behind me.
I started to become nervous.
She was close.
Not too close, but close enough to know she's close enough.
She was definitely no fool.
I had to be sure not to peg her as such.
Well whatever it is, if it's been buried for a long time, maybe there's a reason. I reply.
As we continued out trek, the paths became more overgrown to the point there was no physical evidence left.
Well, it's official. We're definitely off the map here, Ghost says quietly.
But not lost, so I think we're on the right track. I say continuing foreword.
Question, Rei says behind me.
Shoot, I say looking around the jungle.
You know how to Voidwalk right?
My face twisted softly in bewilderment.
Well of course. I just prefer to not to. Solar light is much softer. I reply.
Rei chuckles softly under her helm. Yes it is, she says under her breath.
Why? I ask turning around to look at her.
Just curious, she says walking past me, undoubtably smiling.
C'mon cutie, let's keep moving.
I shake my head and follow promptly.
As we continue, she and I are vying for the position of leader; switching off with who was leading who for about 20 minutes before the jungles cleared and we found a chasm opened into the ground.
Wheeeeeew, Rei whistles, who do you think made this? She laughs.
I looked out into darkness of it.
It was almost humbling.
We couldn't even see the bottom.
Well there's no way down, which means no way up. We can't go this way, I say stepping back. What to do now?
I looked on the other side, more cliffs to explore, but it looked like the valley was at least 2 miles wide.
Hey look, Rei says perky.
I look to where she's pointing and see what caught her attention.
I still cannot accurately determine if what we found was fate, or, and I find this far more likely, an extra-dimensional deity who was having its way with us.
But it was a bridge.
A flimsy, wooden plank bridge that was held up with ropes, and 2 pegs sticking up from the ground on each side of the chasm.
Well there's our way across, She says.
She starts for the bridge, but I slap my hand on her shoulder, stinging my hand on her armor.
Are you nuts?! There's no way that bridge'll hold. I sigh. We have to find a way around, I say.
Look, both ways, up and down. There's no way across Warlock, she says softly.
That reminds me, she says.
What? I reply.
You never told me your name. She says.
I look up, puzzled. Of course I did.
She puts her hands on her hips and huffs. I'm pretty sure I'd remember if you did, she said. Now why don't you tell me.
I bit my lip, I could feel it's dryness upon my teeth.
Why? Why do you need to know? I say trying to dodge the question.
Cause if we're gonna be down here any length of time, she said dropping her rifle and clenching her fists, I need to know I can trust you.
I don't look at her, my teeth gashed angrily.
When I tell you "you can trust me", that should be enough. I reply seething.
Anger welled up in my stomach.
Ever since she asked me if I could Voidwalk, I knew her agenda was something other than why we were here.
Warlock... She hissed softly.
I could feel her voice shudder in anger.
What's your name. She said again.
As I turned to look at her, the ground beneath us began to tremor.
Guardians! Something is rising from the valley! Ghost warned urgently.
Later! I shout to Rei.
You see to it that I make it out of this alive, I say as orange fire engulfs my hands. And I'll tell you my name. Deal? I say looking back as she birthed a Ward of Dawn.
Just make sure you can shoot straight. She said nonchalantly.
From the chasm, up rose a massive Vex Hydra, and it formed bridges up from the darkness, and Minotaurs, Goblins, Hobgoblins and Harpies all were coming for us.
15 ranks thick.
Oh no, I whisper as I see them all.
Rei... I say. She remains silent.
Rei!
What?!
I look back at her, screaming, RUN!!!
I jump just as the Hydra unleashes its flurry of weaponry.
Run! Go! Across the bridge! I shout.
I pass through her Ward and feel it's Blessings of Light.
And I ran.
I cannot ever remember running so fast.
I thought you said no to the bridge?! Rei shouted.
It's a better chance than this! I say as its close enough to touch.
As soon as I step on a plank, it snaps and falls into the dark below.
Oh you gotta be fucking kidding, I say as I edge myself across, almost forgetting the battalion of angry, murderous robots at our heels.
Shit! Warlock! Rei cries and points to the other side of the valley.
There, only with more Minotaurs, was more Vex across.
I looked back and saw the Vex still chasing us.
No... No no no! I scream and draw my rifle.
Rei does the same and we try to suppress their advance, trying to think of something.
Goblins waddle across the bridge; firing their Slap Rifles, their shots singeing out armor.
Warlock! Cover me! Rei cried in pain.
I threw a Fusion Grenade at the Vex I was holding off and fired on Rei's side, giving her time to recover.
I'm good! She shouts as she starts shooting again. I turn and have just enough time to draw my machine gun and take on a Minotaur.
What's the plan?! Rei yells.
Working on it! I shout as I reload my machine gun and draw my scout rifle.
Then I heard the familiar whiz of a Hobgoblin's Line Rifle shot.
I turned just fast enough to see Rei take the shot in the middle of her helmet.
I reached for her as she fell.
No! Rei! I shout.
Rei wake up! I say shaking her.
I look up from her and see the Hydra. It was using some kind of energy field to lift up the planks of the bridge.
As it did I felt myself start to slant and lean.
I quickly lifted up Rei and moved as fast as I could under her weight.
The last thing I heard was the Hydra slam down the pegs, sending a shock wave across the bridge.
I screamed as it hit me and burned my back.
I was sent flying into the rock wall on the other side of the chasm. My hands and fingers bleeding horribly.
I could see muscle and bone instead of flesh on my fingers. But I had to climb us up.
I struggled, still seeing and hearing Vex fire upon the wall, somehow not hitting us.
I scrambled my way up, thanking the Traveller that I made it. But my victory was all too short lived.
As I lifted my head up over the rock, a Minotaur kicked me under the chin, making me drop Rei.
Rei!!!!!!! I screamed as I reached for her, only to feel the Minotaur wrap it's wire fingers around my bleeding hand.
As I tried to fight, it broke my hand, making me scream in pain before it silenced me, impaling me upon its arm through my stomach.
Blood dribbled from my mouth.
My vision was fuzzy. I was sure I would die.
But it only looked at me.
And after what felt like a lifetime looking at its darting red light, it spoke to me.
In English. Human English.
Guardian.
I lifted my head up, wanting to hear it.
Submit...!
And then it threw me, down into the deep dark chasm after Rei.
I screamed as I hit the ground, breaking my back and ribs, poking the bone into my kidneys and lungs.
I lay coughing up blood until I finally gave a final breath, and I heard another voice.
I don't know who, or what, it came from.
And it may well have been a hallucination from my wounds.
I finally passed out before I could hear it.
Darkness slipped me into its veil.
And I didn't know if I would be able to fight it off this time.