The Flame of Despair

Enter Glass Vaults

Ryan
May 1st

 Ryan slowly exited his ship as he took in the strange Vex structures that rested deep  within Venus and it’s surface. Arya watched him from the ship’s open hatch as he watched the rain hit his gloves.
 Ryan turned to Arya as Cayde linked communications, "So on a scale from one to ten, how important is this guy anyway?"
 Arya holstered her hand cannon while grabbing two primary ammo boxes. "Never met it so I can't really say. Judging from what Galtheon is willing to do to destroy him, I'd say he's not going to be a walk in the park."
 Cayde's voice sparked to life in the team's helmets, "Alright guys let's talk about the game plan."
 Galtheon emerged from Ryan's ship holding a modified pulse rifle. A white gooey glow pulsed throughout the gun. Ryan noticed a recent cut on Galtheon's hand, "Dude that's just gross. Why would you use your own blood for ammo? Look if you needed ammo we had some in the back." Galtheon gave a cold stare as Ryan lectured him about use of ammo.
 Cayde heard a loud cracking noise from the coms which was followed by a ships engine, growing louder until it became deafening, "There's my favorite person in the world."
 Ryan watched Scott's ship as it landed, "I find it weird that you can travel through time and space and yet we still find you always being an hour late.”
 Scott stepped out of his ship looking at a sealed Vex gate. He took out his pocket watch then turned to Ryan’s group, "Sorry Ryan but I had to make a quick stop."
 Eclipse and the new warlock stepped out from Scott's ship. Ryan's helmet covered his smile as Eclipse made his way towards the group. Eclipse and Ryan broke into laughter while sharing a simple handshake. "I thought your guardian days were done, what happened?"
 Eclipse stepped back looking at the huge rusted circular shaped Vex Gate, "Come one Red, we are a team! I'd feel bad if I didn't help." He quickly turned back to Ryan, "Plus I owe you one, without you I'd be still on the Moon living a empty life."
 Cayde cleared his throat over the coms, "Are you going to introduce us to your friend or what?"
 Eclipse looked toward the warlock who remained close to Scott's ship, "Oh yeah guys meet Estella, she's an old friend. Thought she'd be a good asset to our team."
 She gave a slight nod as the team started back at her. Ryan stepped closer to the warlock extending his hand towards her, "Name's Ryan, welcome to our team."
 She froze in fear as she felt Ryan's energy as they shook hands. Ryan pulled away from her grip. He looked turned to eclipse, "Uh is she normally this weird?
 Eclipse gave no answer to Ryan question. Cayde’s voice broke the silence, "Well I guess since we are all here we can start. I've uploaded instructions to get us all started."
 Lines of instructions appeared in the team's visor. Ryan quickly loaded his Suros then stood in front of his team, "Three plates?" Ryan looked towards the sealed gate. His eyes slowly drifted away from the gate to a large vantage point. He quickly made his way to the top. Three red plate like circles were placed in the separate areas, "Hey guys, come see this!"
 Arya and Scott smiled as the five guardians made their way next to Ryan. Ryan pointed towards each plate, "Three plates, so I'm thinking two for each plate."
 The team studied the area as Ryan spoke, "The far left is on a lowest level compared to the other two. That leaves the middle and right open for range weapons, that way if the left gets too crazy we can call for sniper support."
 Eclipse loaded his Autorifle, "I'm down to take left." Eclipse turned to Arya holding a fist out, "Partners?"
 Arya nodded as she gave a firm fist bump, "Hell yeah I'm down." Arya pointed towards the middle plate, "Ryan and Galtheon should take middle while Estella and Scott take right."
 Eclipse laughed loudly as Scott and Ryan gave Arya the same disappointed look. Ryan looked at Galtheon then back at Eclipse in a dissapointment glare, "Fine that sounds like a plan then."
 Galtheon gave Ryan a cold stare, 'You're lucky I hate the Vex more than you.'
 Scott loaded his Monte Carlo, "Dawn, grab my sniper this time around."
 Dawn shifted his metal part as the sniper formed around scott's back. The sniper hung comfortably around his shoulder as he continued toward the right plate.
 Ryan shook his head, "Alright scrap metal let's take point."
 Ryan jumped down from the vantage point. Galtheon gripped his pulse rifle out of anger as he dropped to the ground.
 Arya and Eclipse both jumped to ground level. Each team took the position waiting for everyone to give the all clear. Cayde voice echoed throughout the coms, "Okay so here's the deal, once you guys step foot on the plates you must keep one person on point. A Vex conflux will form once all three plates have at least one person on it. The gate should shift and open when the conflux is complete."
 Sense gave a confused look towards the door, " Uh Cayde, that's very specific. Have you seen this been done before?"
 Cayde fell silent for a moment, "Yeah but don't worry about that right now. We got a mission ahead of us."
 Sense gave Ryan a nervous look. Ryan turned to Galtheon, "If I die here I'm going to kill you afterwards."
 Galtheon showed no emotion as Scott laughed over the coms, "How would you do that if you're already dead?"
 Eclipse punched a stone pillar thar neighbored his plate, “Give him a break lover boy, you got another warlock to look after and I expect you two to bond, you hear me?"
 Scott smacked his helmet as Estella stood next to him, "Wow I see what just happened here, you know Ryan with Galth, and her with me?"
 Estella shot Scott a cold look, "Oh wow harsh, and I thought you liked me."
 Ryan shook his head, "Alright enough, enough. Let's just get this done and over with." Ryan closed his eyes for a moment, "On three. One, two, three."
 Galtheon, Eclipse and Estella stepped on the huge circle plate, causing its red color to turn a light blue. Ryan laughed, "That wasn't so bad."
 A streak of solar energy shot from the middle of the field to the collar of Ryan's Robes. Ryan jump to the side, "Whoa damn it!"
 A dark cloud formed near each plate. Ryan generated a ball of fire, "Let’s bring them hell."
 Ryan quickly aimed his gun with one hand as five red eyes emerged from the cloud, "How many on the left and right?"
 Arya watched the Haze fade revealing four Vex goblins, "Four on left."
 Scott smirked, "Looks like I win, got six on right." Scott sprinted at the closest goblin. He jumped while kicking the goblin on its back as he slid closer to the other Vex goblins. Scott's foot dug deeper into the goblins stomach until slid to a halt.
 Eclipse got down on one knee. Arya ran at him causing her to be thrown in the air. Arya flipped through the air as she shot her hand cannon at two of the closest goblins.
 Ryan waited for the five goblins to surround the plate. His hand burned as he form a ball of fire. Galtheon shoved his robotic hand into one of the goblins stomach. The Vex fluid dripped as he held his fist in its metal frame. Ryan tossed his ball of fire at the closest goblin. Galtheon aimed his pulse rifle at the farthest vex goblin while Ryan's bullets ripped into the last two Goblins.
 Seconds later the battlefield fell silent. Ryan quickly look at the two sides, "How's it looking over there?"
 Eclipse laughed, "Well, we're not dead yet, so I think the answer is great."
 Scott started to climb a nearby pillar, "Yeah if we aren't smart about our next moves then we are as good as dead." He laid flat on his stomach while aiming his sniper towards Estella who released her pulse rifle. She waved at Scott in a flirty way before turning away. He shook his head as he mumbled over the coms, "Can't believe I have to look after her."
 Ryan stopped aiming then looked up at Scott at his vantage point, "Stop being an ass and be positive for a change, would you?"
 The dark haze formed in the same three spot as the first encounter. Galtheon walked closer the Haze as Ryan watched from the plate while aiming his Suros. Galtheon reached his hand out towards the foggy haze.
 Arya and and Estella watched their Vex portal waiting for their fair share of Vex troops to put in place.
 A single red eye appeared in the ghostly haze located in center. Galtheon gently placed his hand through the thick smoke.
 Ryan's eyes kept at the portal, "How many are left?"
 Arya remained still as she turned towards Eclipse, "Got one so far."
 Estella smirked confidently through her warlock helmet, "Looks like all sides are even."
 Ryan nodded, "This should be a breeze." A Vex minotaur reached from its shadow as it grabbed Galtheon's arm, causing it to rip clean off.
 Ryan jumped back a step while keeping in the circle plate, "Guys they're not goblins!"  Ryan shot passed Galtheon who had dropped to his knees as his Vex Radiolarian fluid poured to the ground.
 Arya pushed off the charging minotaurs body with her foot. She landed behind eclipse. He pushed her towards cover near the plate, "This one is mine."
 Eclipse’s arms started to spark with energy as he ran towards the raging beast.
 Scott quickly turned towards the left side of the field as he heard a loud clashing sound that came from the oversized titan and the Vex minotaur locking arms. Estella yelled causing Scott to take aim toward her positing,"Scott what the Hell are you waiting for! Take it out already!"
 Scott aimed at the beast that wrapped its arms around her. Its eye stared intensely back at Scott mocking him with a laughing screech. Estella scream louder as it squeezed tighter. Scott closed his eyes as he took a deep breath. A loud pop silenced the minotaur causing it's grip to weaken. Estella hit the floor gripping her chest as she struggled to catch breath.
 Scott dropped next to Estella. Her white robe slowly faded to red, "Ryan, Estella's bleeding!"
 Ryan quickly slid to the his right dodging the minotaurs raging swings, " Get her out of there then."
 Estella held her chest in pain, "The plate! We can't lose the plate!"
 Galtheon slowly got on his feet. His vex fluid froze before flowing back into his arm. He picked up his lifeless arm off from the ground and held it in place. His metal skin screeched as he attached his arm into place.
 Ryan kept the minotaur distracted as Galtheon sprinted towards them.
 The Minotaur froze as Galtheon's fist entered its metal body. His blood began to infect the stunned minotaur as in dropped to his knees. Galtheon's body went limp as the minotaurs body gained strength. It towered over Ryan as it's eyes shifted from red to white.
 Ryan watched the minotaur as it ran towards the right plate. He quickly shook his head in disbelief, "Scott don't shoot! Support is on the way."
 Scott kept his eyes closed in frustration as he attempt to stop the bleeding, "Alright alright just get he-"
 Galtheon slammed his fist into the lifeless minotaur. Scott held her closer. He was too afraid to see what caused the loud slam.
 Galtheon voice screeched loudly as he tore deeper into the lifeless minotaur, " I have this plate covered. Take Estella to the ship and fix her up."
 Scott quickly picked up Estella, her head resting against his chest, "Hang in there Estella, you're gonna make it. I promise."
 Arya fired her hand cannon at the minotaur as Eclipse locked arms with it, its eye burning red. Eclipse slid back as he struggled to overpower the beast, "I can't last much longer here!"
 Arya smirked, "Release him Andrew. I'll end it."
 Eclipse gave one last push with his foot while Arya used her super. Fire spread from her gun throughout her body. The minotaur lunged towards Arya's plate.
 Arya slowed her breathing. She whispered before pulling the the trigger, "Burn in hell."
 Ryan watched the minotaurs body burn. It's metal body began to melt and crack as it layed motionlessly in front of Arya.
 Eclipse watched the haze reappear once more. He reloaded his rifle as he spoke through the coms, "Scott, how's she looking?"
 Scott ran back and forth from the table where Estella layed,  Uh, I think she’s gonna be okay." Scott quickly scavenged to cabinet for something to clean out her wound, "Shit shit shit, where is it?” He slammed the cabinet shut, "Damn it, where is it?"
 Ryan quick took out three Vex Goblins with his Suros, "What's going on in there?"
 Scott punched the wall in frustration, "My cleaning supplies are on my old ship."
 Eclipse tightened his grip to his gun, "You're kidding. Please tell me you're kidding?"
 Scott quickly ran to Estella's side. He slowly removed his helmet giving a look of pure terror.
 Estella's smile was covered by her helmet, " No he's telling the truth." She gripped his arm softly, " Hey, it's okay, it’s not your fault."
 Scott froze as her words echoed in his head his eyes rolled back as he collapsed to the floor.

 "Hey it's okay", Arya extended her hand towards Scott. "It's going to be okay, I promise."
 She smiled as she lifted him in her arms. Scott wrapped his small arms around his mother's neck as she walked away from the melted lifeless robot.
 She set Scott on the counter, "Where did the big mean robot hurt you?"
 The little boy pointed to his knees which were scraped.
 Arya smiled, "Give me your hand and count with me."
 Arya's ghost hovered over her son's knee. It began to study the damaged skin patterns as they counted to three. It's eye flashed and moments later Scott's scraped knee was healed.
 Arya kissed his knee, "See? Good as new!"

 Scott snapped to reality. He quickly pulled himself to the table where Estella screamed with pain.
 Ryan took out four Vex goblins as he screamed in the coms, "Scott what the hell is going on in there?"
 Scott shook his head, "I, I don't know but I know how to save her."
 Ryan's gun clicked as it's last bullet shot through the Goblins stomach. Ryan's eyes shot white as adrenaline overpowered him.
 Eclipse and Arya watched from a distant as his armour wrapped in flames. Galtheon turned towards Ryan's direction. He extended his hand towards the heated area, 'I can feel his burst of energy.' Galtheon voiced screeched as he laughed, 'They fear your light.'
 Ryan's voice was filled with rage as he tossed three of his solar grenades , “Do what needs to be done, quickly!"
 Scott grabbed her hand. Her breathing was rushed with pain. Scott yelled for dawn, "I need assistance!"
 Dawn materialized over Scott's should, "What seems to be the problem?"
 Dawn looked at Estella's wound. Her grip soften softly, "She was stabbed by a minotaur. I would assume it left more than just a lovely scratch. Check for any shards of metal, Radiolarian fluid, name it and check for it."
 Dawn gave Estella a gentle nod as he scanned her wound, "She has a small dose of Radiolarian fluid in her bloodstream, but it's not enough to harm her. I've also located three shards of metal which are dangerously close to her heart."
 Scott gave a slight nod as he held her weak hand, "Warning, this is going to hurt."
 Estella smiled, her voice was soft and faded, "Bring it on."
 Scott covered her hands with his. Dawn’s eye grew brighter as her vision blurred.

 I never knew my real parents. I was moved from planet to planet. No one wanted me. I would have been examined only to end up back where I started from. I've been traveling for so long that I even forgot my birth name. The only thing I really remembered were the names of the stars. I found beauty in the stories they told, sadly no one cares to listen. They've been blinded by the constant conflict with beings like the Fallen and the Hive. Ever since the traveler arrived, things haven't been the same. Then again no one really knows what life was like before this whole invasion anyway, well except for the Exos. They have archives of what life was really like. Lucky for me I've met a funny Exo. He's the only one who has accepted me. He even gave me a cool code name for our adventure. Estella, my favorite star.