Light: Exploits, Book II.

Part 19. Light In Sorrow.

It was midnight by the time Priest and Farah made their ways back to Earth. To the Tower.
Priest was in the main plaza, having turned Dylan over to Ikora and Eris.
He was standing impatient, tapping his foot on the ground, looking out at the Traveller.
If you can hear me... He says softly, his uncovered face letting his long beard blow softly in the wind.
Please... Please don't take him... He balls his fists, praying to The Traveller.
Not yet...
Priest is shaken, however, from his moment as he hears footsteps behind him.
He turns his head, and sees a genuine surprise.
Eris Morn, holding nothing in her hands, as her eyes, ever bleeding shadow, and a third "eye" shines in the middle of her forehead.
Titan... She says softly, walking closer to him.
She was cautious; Priest made no secret of his opinion of Eris. But Eris wasn't here for her own purpose.
He's stable, and Ikora has done all she can... Eris says softly.
Now, all she says we must do is wait.
Priest was silent as he held onto the railing. Thank you, Eris... He finally said, after a soft wind rushed by.
I'd like to thank you, Priest, Eris continued. For being there with him.
Priest scoffed loudly; sounding like more of a punishment for himself than disregarding Eris' words.
Lot of good I did; I just stood there... And... Let it happen. He said softly.
Priest kept his back to Eris, so he didn't notice she had taken a spot next to him, taking the sight of The Traveller in as best she could.
You remind me so much of Vell Tarlowe, Eris said with a soft smile, and gentle voice.
He thought Toland and I were rambling fools, much like you do, she says softly.
But I knew, beyond the shadow of a doubt; he would do anything, even die, for his fellow Guardians; weather he thought they were rambling, or foolish.
And I know, you're the same way, she said sweetly.
Priest's grip on the railing tightened, and he bent the bars under his hands softly. He wasn't angered by Eris' words. He was still focused on his friend.
Your passion for your fellow Guardians is unmatched, Priest. And it may not mean very much from me, but...
She placed a hand on his cold armor. His shoulders sunk, and he sighed deeply.
Eris said nothing, her touch saying, again, "Thank you".
Priest listened intently as Eris' footsteps lead away slowly, until the gentle tapping of her shoes faded away, and all he could hear was wind.
He looked up once again, and saw a soft light gleaming off of the surface of The Traveller.
Priest said a silent prayer, once again asking that his friend be returned to him.
*                *              *
Ikora was in the Hall of The Guardians, looking squarely at the broken shards of a Ghost before her.
She was lost in thought; thankfully though, Cayde and Zavala were also dutifully working, not noticing her silence.
She remembered the gut-wrenching way she attained the Ghost.
A Hunter, whom died once and was made new again in an Exo body, brought her the pulverized Ghost.
When inquired as to who the Ghost belonged to, Farah, the Hunter, only shook her head, and made her way as far away from the Ghost as possible.
This took Ikora by surprise, and she would have investigated the Ghost's memories, but she was apprehensive.
It seemed that her and her Ghost were staring at it, hoping to instead will it back together. Back to being a Ghost, capable of reviving its Guardian.
Ikora reaches for a shard of the Ghost, and holds the smooth, broken piece of metal in her hand. It's Light, faded and dim, still resonates in the shard.
She places the shard back on the table, and reaches for the small, clear orb that is the Ghost's Mind.
Thoughtless, she pressed the small orb into the holographic projector on the table.
Before she could start the memories, she was surprised by the opening of a door.
Ikora turned, as did Cayde and Zavala.
There, in the doorway, draped in a deep, autumn-red robe, was Dylan.
His helmet obscured his face, but Ikora knew his expression underneath.
Cayde, Zavala, Ikora says. Would you give Dylan and I a moment?
The Exo and Awoken shared a look, before Cayde said, in his trademark sarcasm laced voice, sure, could use a walk anyway.
Cayde walked up closer to Dylan, his hands crossed behind the small of his back.
Cayde's charm seemed to melt, and he only places a somber hand on the boys shoulder. Dylan nods, and Cayde trails off away from the Vanguard.
Zavala gives a deep, sorrowful look into the helmets faceplate, before he too, leaves the two Warlocks alone.
*               *               *
I stood in the warmth of the hall for a moment before I was brought back by Ikora's voice.
Warlock, she said softly.
I raised my head, acknowledging her like a dog does its master.
Come here, please, she said.
I complied, and stride slowly to the side of the table, now looking bare as Cayde's and Zavala's Ghosts had taken their data and projects with them.
Ikora looked at me squarely for a moment. She seemed like she was trying to see my face from over my helmet.
Please, remove your helmet, she said gently.
In a swift, uncaring motion, I took one hand, and yanked my helmet from my head, tossing it aside like it was garbage.
Ikora's look of focus turned to one of somberness.
My eyes welled tears, and my lips quivered between my biting them.
Ikora knew what had happened to me.
She bowed her head, and withdrew her hands from the table, folding them behind her like I had.
Then, silently, she met my eyes, and nodded.
I bared my teeth, and took my hands and pressed them against the underside of the table. I lifted the table, flipping it in midair, and slamming it into the ceiling.
I roared in anguish as pieces of the ceiling fell down.
I fell to my knees and pounded my fists against the hard, merciless floor until they had gone numb.
I finally stopped, and clawed my hands to my eyes and held my face as I sobbed and bawled on the floor.
I felt my gloves drench in my streaming tears, and whimpered like a pathetic child.
I loved her Ikora... I tremble, taking Rei's mark. I thought she was dead, and then she found me... And then... Then... I start softly, but my voice soon explodes in anger again.
I flail and thrash violently on the floor, pieces of my body washing away in Void Light.
Rage brought out this strength.
Rage that my friend was murdered.
But crippling, terrible pain of the loss.
I crawled back, and pressed my back against the wall, and curled into a misshapen ball.
My rage was gone.
Now, I was struck with the unbearable pain of it all.
I sobbed quietly, until I threw my head back and cried.
I put my mouth to my hand and quieted my sobs. My fingers felt the warmth of my tears, and I closed my eyes.
Knowing, now, I'd never see her again. Never hear her again.
Never know her again.
I opened my eyes, and saw Ikora's Ghost fixing what my tantrum had demolished.
The table and cracks in the ceiling were mended, looking pristine.
Ikora looked at me and nodded. She allowed me my moment of weakness. My relapse, as I called it.
When my emotional turmoil overflowed and I simply had to release.
Anger.
And so, very much sadness.
I was pushing myself back to my feet by the time I saw Cayde and Zavala return back to the hall.
They said nothing as I straightened my robe, and made the painfully slow walk back outside.
I had hardly noticed the subtle change of the lighting, and I wasn't even out of the Hall of the Vanguard before I met another soul.
Not Priest, or Farah.
But, instead, it was Lord Shaxx.
He looked at me, face obscured by his helmet, but I knew his look was soft.
Guardian, he says softly.
Lord Shaxx, I say, and bow as best I can. How do you fare this evening?
Better than you, I'd guess. He said, his reply curt and cutting like a knife.
I bit my lip and bowed my head softly, until I raised it again to see him approaching me.
He placed a hand on my shoulder, and shook me gently.
I'm... Very sorry, Guardian. One of us should never lose another, he said, his voice taking on a softness that was foreign to me.
I only nodded; there were no words to say.
I hope you don't mind, but I did some research on that sword that was brought back with you, he said after a moment of silence.
Did you happen to hear anything? As you touched it? He asked, his gruff voice sounding genuine.
I thought back, and immediately did remember.
It said... "Raise the sword by necessity; not by choice". I repeated slowly; it still sounded unbelievable.
Shaxx nodded his head, and I heard him mutter something under his breath.
Well, it's yours now, he said and brought down the sword on his counter.
I stood taken back as the heavy sword banged lowly counter.
What do you mean? I ask.
I've researched all tags and signatures to any known Guardians, living or dead. It matches none, save for yours. He said and touches the hilt. If the sword was untouched before you, than the sword chose you to be its master.
He raised it up, and here in the Tower's light, I could see it clearly.
The blade was silver; but seemed to dance and writhe with life. It seemed blunt, but I knew it not true. This looked more like an overly large cleaver more than any sword.
I could distinctly now see the gout of Light that poured from the handle above the hilt. It overflowed and sent soft, shimmering pulses of Void Light across the blade.
This, is the Dark-Drinker. Shaxx said softly, aghast. He was surprised, something I'd never heard from him.
A Light brother, to a terrible Hiven sword; it follows new sword logic, he says and hands it to me.
I take and wrap my fingers around the hilt. I remember what happened the last time I held this sword. What I had to do.
What logic is that, Lord Shaxx? I ask as I hold the blade in my other hand. The sword, blade and all, was nearly as long as I was tall.
The sword must be used by demand; not by choice. For come the day you choose to take up arms, he said and looked at me for a long moment.
I felt his eyes burn into my head.
Comes the day that you revoke your Light, your Guardianship.
I absorbed the words before, finally, I nodded.
I knew that wouldn't be an issue, he said with a soft growl.
I smiled softly, and threw up a wave goodbye as I left, embracing the Light of The Traveller as I hit the cool air outside.