A Guardian's Destiny (Destiny 2 Fanfiction)

I. Origins

You know, I really don't remember much about the beginning of my life. The first, mortal Orion, I mean. All I own of that life is a card with my face, name, and profession as a doctor working for some department under Clovis Bray. That is where my past, for all I have to care, ends. But I do remember the beginning of my new life, sworn into service as a Guardian of the Last City. It started with Ghost hovering over my head saying "Eyes up, Guardian."

We began at the edge of the Cosmodrome, walking far from the remains of what was humanity's triumph into empty forests, small, empty human hovels, and those mountains that surround the City. There storms howl and lightning booms forever. I died a lot trying to get through there. The first "death" happened during one of many climbs. I remember one of the ledges cracking by the pressure. I fell hundreds of feet to a slapping stop. I gasp air in new lungs Ghost made once he pended my resurrection.

Then came the Fallen; real pieces of work that ran to me in fear. But fear didn't stop them from sticking me with an Arc-powered spear. Then a sword. Then a couple of daggers. I think someone strangled my corpse in the middle of all that- Ghost never tells me. Then from all of the starving. My goodness, there's nothing to eat up there.

Anyways, after being hungry, tired, and dead, I reach it. People came to me happy and surprised to see me among their number as the Last City celebrates a victory. You remember the Fallen that fled earlier and did all those things to me? Yeah, they were remnants of the army that brought the City close to defeat. If you guess Twilight Gap, you're right on the glimmer.

In my opinion? Best time for the City. Osiris is Vanguard leader, Andal Brask is kicking (albeit he is trapped to the Vanguard position), the Crucible becomes a pastime sport for people to watch (for me to do terrible at), and most of those previously mentioned baddies are running away with Saint-14 hot on their trail. Sure, those guys at the Concordant waged a bloody battle against the Vanguard and the Consensus, but they stood no chance. Thank goodness they're far from us now. Yes sir, it was a time to be a Guardian. But our good times were just in the eye of a hurricane. Soon, the true troubles began and it started with our leadership.

Brask goes off and gets murdered by the one Fallen that keeps getting up: Taniks. By the Light, he doesn't die easy. Even got some SIVA in him to spite us and death itself. But that's a story for another day. Then, Osiris starts up his little cult (he'll never admit that it's his fault, but who can blame him? Oh wait, me.) and goes to Mercury in exile. Saint-14 is far from our walls to go grab Osiris from Mercury and to put all of that on top, we thought it was a good idea to start a "manifest destiny" campaign with the Moon, Luna.

Sometimes, it's hard to forget about it all. Some days, I have to pull myself away from that rollercoaster of pain and suffering. We thought ourselves the biggest fish in the sea when it began. Crota and his brood showed us otherwise. Soon, Crota descended on us with unmatched fury. It took another year or two until the Vanguard called off the attack, when Luna's face began to crack and scar under the pressure.

I lost someone there... It hurts to remember him. A simple human volunteer with dreams of opening a bakery just for guardians. All the plans for the future he thought of were gone as soon as we left the safety of Earth to dig in to Luna's surface.

I felt hollow inside for many years, unable to do anything. Rumors spread that a fireteam went to Luna for revenge. Many thought it was false, until the Praxic Order reported they lost one of it's own and the exile, Toland, was missing from a hideout inside the Tower.

With all of this time and pain to forget on my immortal hands, I did the only thing a Guardian can do: fight, collect, dismantle.

There was this Exo Hunter I usually saw when I walk my trail through the Last City. We would make eye contact countless times, nodded to one another, but I always felt that she didn't want to talk. Not that I have anything worthwhile to say anyways, as the trail is to get to my shack. Also, Warlocks aren't seen with much without the whole "evil scientist" getup.

Warlock's have always been the one group you needed on your side, yet not wanting in your social life. We are essentially the crazy but intelligent type of Guardians protecting the Last City. There's also the strong, noble-hearted Titans, hard as stone (some intellectual as one) and brutal in combat. Then there is no quicker or faster in the Guardian's as the Hunters, who act as scouts and lone wolves (though some enjoy the company of others through a pack).

One day in the evening I was walking my way back from the Tower through the same route. I noticed that the lady was missing from where she stood about. I was concerned about it for a time, but I knew she would be back. She always did. I would learn much about her and the things she would do. She would be my partner through many trials, including the final destination we Guardians face eventually: final death.

Her name would be-

"How do we come back from this?" Ghost asked. "You don't." A voice answered. I turn around to see the thing of the hour, Ghaul (with an entourage as well). "Well, if it isn't the man of the hour." I speak, but Ghaul ignores me and looks to the Traveler. "Welcome to a world without Light." He proclaims, extending an arm out as the orange field rapidly surrounds the Traveler.

A wave of nausea hits me, and I feel hollow inside. Weak, heavy, and alien to my own body, I find it suddenly hard to stand. Great pain envelopes me to the point of going unconscious. "Orion, something's wrong..." Ghost states, stalling in the air and falls to the platform. I follow suit, holding myself up with just my hands. I grab Ghost and look up to the approaching Cabal.

"Do not look at me, creature!" He roared as he kicks, launching me away. I can feel my grip on my weapon loosen and fly away. But as long as I have Ghost, it didn't matter. I skid to a halt, and Ghaul continues. "You are weak. Undisciplined. Cowering behind walls." As I'm not close to getting on my feet, he continues to glower over my frail frame. Under the helmet, I clench my jaw and gnash on my teeth to concentrate.

"You're not brave. You've merely forgotten the feeling of death." He spoke, lowering himself to my level as I got to my feet. "Allow me to reacquaint you." He rears, backhanding me further towards the edge of his ship. Ghost is no longer in my hands  as we land hard on the metallic hull. He falls into the hell scape below as I watch in horror. "Ghost!" I cried, extending my arm out, but realizing that's futile. I slowly turn around to try and face this wicked foe.

"Your kind never deserved the power you were given." He towers over my cowering body, struggling to stay conscious. "My name is Ghaul. And your Light..." Hearing this proclamation, on my knees feeling defeat, I look up to his figure pointing at the caged Traveller. "Is mine." He finishes with a whisper, standing up to use his armored boot to tap my face, sending me towards my doom...