Light: Exploits, Book II.

Part 1. The Long Drift.

After I had told Priest and Farah of Rei, and why I reacted as I did, we all made our way to Variks back in The Reef.
As we touched down, I immediately strode to Variks.
Ahhh. Guardian. You return. With good news I hope, he hisses.
Yes. Teridia is dead. I reply confidently.
Rei's Mark is tied around my neck like a handkerchief. Just under my cowl of my coat, so very few could see.
Excellent. I will relay the good news to The Queen. She will appreciate your work, he hisses contently.
I am always happy to help. How goes the campaign against Skolas and his house?
Variks shuffles impatiently, as if he was waiting to give news.
He suffers his judgement now as we speak, in the Prison. At the Hands of the Light. No more will be terrorize the Awoken.
Variks and I enjoyed our conversation as Farah and Priest waited.
How's your face? Farah asks Priest.
Heh, not as hurt as my ego, trust me. He laughs.
So no hard feelings? She asks.
Nope, I understand why. I've felt like that. He loves his Guardian brothers and sisters. I can't be angry at him for being upset he lost one. Priest says looking out in the space of the Reef.
Variks pounded his metal staff into the grates of the floor. Guardians, come and collect your reward. He chirped.
Priest and Farah trotted over to us as Variks laid three cases before us.
Use them well Guardians.
We opened them, and gasped in awe.
Farah was first to make a sound.
A hand cannon? From the Queen? She said trying to contain her joy; Her Mercy gleams.
Lookie here, Priest awes as he holds Wolves' Bane.
I pop open my case; and up I hold a heavy framed shotgun. Purple hues with the Queen's Crest etched in its side.
Her Courtesy. Etiquette is a most powerful weapon indeed, Guardian. Wield Her Majesty's strength, and none shall oppose you. Variks he growled happily.
Thank you, most kindly, Variks. Call if you need, Guardians will heed you, I say bowing to him, before we all return to our ships.
So? Are we ready? I ask.
Not yet. Priest says. I'd like to take these scales from Aspear and Dirtuk to Zavala.
I nod and set course for Tower.
I'm gonna talk with Banshee, Farah says as we touch down.
See if he can't give me some insight into being an Exo, she chuckles.
Alright. We'll radio when we're ready. I say as Priest and I go to the Vanguard hall.
Guardian... I hear Eris Morn from just out of sight.
I look at her. Eris. My friend.
He face rends slightly, shock and awe. You fought Hive. The Snakes.
I nod softly. Yes. We were victorious against them. The Fallen tried their hand at them first.
She and I walked behind Priest as we all saw Zavala studying his maps and battle plans.
Priest? Returning so early from your excursion? Zavala asks, keeping code for our mission to Neptune.
Haven't started yet, but I have something for you, Priest smiles as he sets out the scales.
Guardian, I sense unease in this one, Eris says softly, referring to Priest.
Don't mind him. I trust you. I say softly.
You do understand the risk if I lose your Light, she says nervously.
I look at her.
I have a pittance in my stomach for her.
My Warlock Guardian sister, whose will of Light was strong enough to venture to the moon to kill a god.
And she lost everything for it.
I understand. But my mind and heart are always at home, I smile.
Priest walks toward us, smiling. We're set.
I turn to leave as Eris does, only to hear Zavala's voice call my name.
Dylan, my Ghost is detecting the data from a Titan Mark, he says.
I stop dead cold, my back to him.
Priest is a few steps in front of me.
I folded my hands over my chest, trying to clutch the mark.
To hold her again.
Tears began to roll down my cheeks as I tore it from my neck and held it out to him.
If he wanted if he could come and get it.
My arm shuddered. My chest heaved.
Priest and Eris both looked at me.
Priest wanted to reach out and take me in, protect me. I could see it.
And Eris. She knew my pain. All too well.
Zavala looked at me sadly. He knew my pain too.
My tears.
Commander, Eris spoke up.
If I may be so bold. Perhaps Her Mark is in the best hands it can be already, she said.
He nodded softly. Yes. Yes, I believe you are correct Eris. He said.
Dylan, may you carry her spirit and Light throughout the universe. Let no Darkness escape her wrath. He continued.
I tied it around my neck again. Tight enough to feel it's warmth.
I won't. I swear. I say looking up at Eris.
As I leave, I have one final few words for her.
Or rather, she does to me.
Guardian, I know the pain of losses. Insurmountable. She says revealing her arm.
It's covered in marks, bonds and cloak ripping.
Eriana-3. Omar Agah. Sai Mota. Vell Tarlowe. Toland, The Shattered One. She said their names.
Still remembered them after all this time.
It was all she had left.
Remember their names. Honor their sacrifices. She said as I walked away.
I kept her words close.
Remember their names.
Honor their sacrifices.
Words I would heed all too well.