We Stand Together

Chapter 33: Gone

The Black Garden that stands before her is now free of Vex and without the Heart's dark influence.

The red skies turn to a lovely shade of pale azure. Plants of the exotic variety grow and sprout, blooming into beautiful scarlet flowers. The Darkness that had weighed Eden down is gone, vanishing into the wind.

The Black Garden itself is gone.

Eden releases a loud cry of victory into the air, joy filling her chest. Uriah spins his white and silver shell in excitement, twisting and turning before ramming himself into her armor as if to body bump her. She laughs and gently grabs him, hugging the little Ghost to her helmet.

"We've done it, Uriah. We've done it," She whispers, looking back at him. He swirls out of her grip, dancing happily in the air.

"I know! And you, you were so amazing! The way you took down those Vex, it was unbelievable! Truly amazing! You're the best Guardian ever!" He rambles on and on. Eden chuckles softly before turning to look up at the sky. She knows that wherever she is, the Exo Stranger has witnessed her victory. A small smile curves her lips and Eden calls out to Uriah, signaling that it's time to go.

Just before Ghost and Guardian leave, Eden bends down and plucks one of the scarlet flowers. She twists and turns it between her finger and thumb.

Beneath the helmet, a soft smile spreads across her face.

Jaren might like it. A trophy of sorts to proclaim her success, he'd say. Fondness spreads through her chest and she tucks it, gently, into the waistband of her utility belt. And then, she and Uriah leave the peaceful Garden behind.

                                       -------

When Eden arrives back at the Tower, hundreds of Guardians, as well as the Vanguard and Speaker, are gathered in the plaza. News of her success must have spread because as she exits her ship, she can hear remnants of the Speaker's speech echoing through the air.

It's a good speech, one meant to inspire. But Eden is more focused on the figure standing at the edge of the Hanger.

The Exo Stranger.

Eden approaches her with Uriah by her side, watching the Exo intently.

"It's a day for pretty speeches and medals," She says when Eden nears her. "But we know the real fight takes place out there."

She jerks her head toward the sky above. Eden knows exactly what she's talking about, but she doesn't feel the need to respond. Instead, she steps up beside the Stranger, watching the Guardians as they listen intently to the uplifting words. After a moment, the Exo faces her and offers up her weapon.

"Take this. You'll need it more than I will," She urges.

Eden takes the worn, yellow pulse rifle from her grasp. She studies the gun, looking it over curiously. It's nothing like what Banshee has ever made or anything that Eden has ever seen. In fact, if Eden had to guess, this gun probably wasn't even from this timeline at all.

"There's so much more Guardian. I've seen terrible things born out of the Darkness. Creatures that you would not believe. Things that cannot be unseen. Every moment brings them one step closer."

Her bright blue optics drift towards the Traveler, studying the smooth round orb. She takes a couple of steps closer to the edge, raising her hand toward it. A brief moment of vulnerability and weakness that makes the stranger seem wistful, yet optimistic.

"All ends are beginnings," She murmurs softly.

The Stranger sounds hopeful as if she hadn't had any for the longest time.

Eden and Uriah peer at each other and then turn back to the Exo Stranger.

"Our fight is far from over," She states it like a fact as if she already knows Eden knows this.

Without a single glance back, she walks forward, dissipating from view. Eden doesn't know where she's going, but wherever it is, it's to fight her own battles. Just as Eden will stay here and fight for the Traveler and City with her fireteam. Just as she has and always will.

Zavala catches her eye from his place among the Guardians and nods her over. She gives him a salute and looks at the Traveler one more time before turning and descending down into the plaza. Guardians part for her, giving her pats on the back and shouts of congratulations. She smiles in return and waves at them, basking in the victory of another safe day for the City, the Tower, and the Guardians. But as she makes her way into the Vanguard Hall, the earlier feeling of dread returns full force.

The room is clear of all personnel except the Vanguard, and each in their own way looks gravely serious. Zavala stands at his end of the table with his arms folded behind his back, glowing eyes watching her. Ikora stands to his right, arms crossed and heavy remorse written across her features. Cayde is next to a column off to Zavala's left, looking out the huge expansive window. The cheer from the defeat of the Black Garden and Speaker's speech seem long forgotten in here.

Uriah looks at her in worry. She gives him a reassuring look nod before speaking up.

"What's wrong? It's a happy occasion and you look like someone just died," She jokes,  voice too loud in the silent room.

They all shift and glance at each other before Zavala releases a sigh.

"We received news about your fireteam, Eden."

The smile fades from her face and her heart pounds nervously in her chest. None of the Vanguard have ever called her by her name before. Never.

"Are they back? Have they returned? Where are they?" She rushes, hope swelling in her chest. Cayde flinches as if he's been burnt and turns his face away from her. Eden receives the same treatment from Ikora. The dread rears up and swallows her hope.

"No, no Eden, they aren't here," Zavala sighs, exhaustion deep in his voice.

Desperation spreads across her face as she slams her hands against the table, gripping it with such strength it begins to crack. "Where are they?!"

Zavala releases a tired sigh.

"Though your fireteam suceeded in their mission, they have not returned. They, " He pauses a moment before forcing himself to continue. "They are gone."

Her first thought is that she's heard him wrong. Obviously, she didn't hear him right. There's no way they could just be gone. Three people can't just disappear.

"You're kidding, right? This is a joke, isn't it?" Uriah mumbles out, stunned.

"Big Blue doesn't joke, not when it comes to these things," Cayde speaks up, finally turning back toward the duo. His bright blue optics are full of sorrow and seriousness.

Her mind goes blank. Uriah collapses on her shoulder. Eden's body keeps switching between overwhelming grief and numbness like she wants to feel but she doesn't either. All the breath flees her lungs and stuttering gasps fall from her lips. Eden is trying to hold herself together, for her and her Ghost, but it just isn't working. Not when her mind is cracking itself in pain and despair.

"Ava? Quinn? Tayton?"

Zavala shakes his head.

Her heart clenches in agony at the realization that no one has made it out of the Vault.

"How?"

A barely rasped murmur, but still loud enough for them to hear.

Zavala unfolds his arms and takes a few steps toward her, almost as if he's expecting her to bolt the second he tells her what happened.

"Lance, Axel, and Jaren have fallen to the Vault of Glass."

Her world crashes down around her.