Short note: I read the feedback, and I’m really glad y’all appreciate what I’m doing. The colors are a conscious choice; I’m currently trying to incorporate them more strongly into the plot. Honestly, directly after I wrote part 1, I fell asleep, woke up the next day, and started writing like crazy. Right now, I’m trying to finish up the storyline and create an open window for another Guardian’s story. Here’s part 2- enjoy!<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not saying an argument couldn\u2019t be made for the contrary. Just that said argument would be entirely ridiculous.\u201d<\/p>\n
Caren rolled her eyes at her companion, a fellow Warlock who stood a good two feet above her- she swore, Jay should have been a Titan- before she responded.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wouldn\u2019t be so skeptical. The Traveler\u2019s power seems to have certain \u201chotspots\u201d, and maybe they could have useful i-\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen it\u2019s a good thing you\u2019re not me, isn\u2019t it? All evidence stands to show that these are just residuals from when it swept in and saved us all. There\u2019s no pattern, no similarities in any of these. And if you\u2019re going to show them to the Council, you\u2019ll need more evidence.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the Council would agree with me, actually. Warlocks are the most privy to The Traveler, and ergo, we should also be the most eager to seek out its mysteries, the better to solve them and help our cause.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jay raised his hands, palms facing Caren, in a gesture of surrender. \u201cFine. If you want to be stubborn, then be stubborn. But if you look here\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
The tall Warlock bent over a three-by three pedestal in the center of the room the two were in, tapping a few controls before a display of the Earth popped into existence. Jay pulled up a small overlay of hotspots that were dotted across the surface, pointing at one deep in the jungles of what had been Southern America.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat one right there. It\u2019s, A: in the middle of Vex territory, and B: the place of an old nuclear detonation. Whatever The Traveler did, it was probably a wave-like particle transformation effect, something like our Nova bomb. Some spots\u2026 just absorbed it better than others, and besides, this is relatively new information. We can\u2019t trust it until we actually get more scouts out there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Caren shoved her index finger at Jay\u2019s chest, which was on level with her forehead, before she made her reply. \u201cThen explain why there\u2019s been an increased level of Vex activity since the hotspots came on sensor. Even if I\u2019m wrong, it\u2019s something worth checking out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jay stared down at her, his boy-like face slightly concerned. \u201cWe don\u2019t have the time or troops necessary, and like I literally just <\/i>said, that\u2019s Vex territory- actually, let me see, they all are<\/i>. It would take our best operatives, and at least an army. Maybe later.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere won\u2019t be <\/i>a later if I\u2019m right, and you know that just as well as I do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jay spoke his next words with care, raising a hand and flicking a strand of Caren\u2019s midnight black hair from her green eyes. \u201cFor once\u2026 I hope you\u2019re wrong. Are you really going to take this before the Council of Guardians?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI have to. It might mean the future of The City.\u201d<\/p>\n
Caren strode from the room, arms crossed. Jay groaned before he jogged after her, half-yelling, \u201cYou\u2019re wrong! Nobody<\/i> would even be stupid <\/i>enough to go into those deathtraps in the first place!\u201d<\/p>\n
Aaren made a living by entering deathtraps, surviving whatever was there, and then looting them. It was tough. It was also against standard Guardian rules, but Talon thought of rules more as general guidelines than actual pillars to adhere to. However, this one was different- it wasn\u2019t the run-of-the-mill situation, and he\u2019d approached it with some care.<\/p>\n
Of course, in this case, care was all relative. Funny, really. How little one can care after all this. <\/i><\/p>\n
The Hunter crouch-walked carefully through the underbrush of the ancient forest, moving in the shadows and revealing himself only when necessary. The chrono in his helmet told him he\u2019d been moving along like this for forty three minutes, fifty two seconds. To his right, he heard a noise, the sharp \u201csnap\u201d of a twig. Aaren froze, not daring to look at the source of movement. As his mentor had taught him, staying still was often the best defense- when hiding, movement most easily roots out the target.<\/p>\n
But he\u2019s dead now, isn\u2019t he.<\/i><\/p>\n
The Guardian gritted his teeth and slowly, ever so slowly, turned his head to the right. Nothing. <\/i>Talon relinquished the death grip on his hand cannon before he moved again.<\/p>\n
This isn\u2019t something I need. Not now. <\/i><\/p>\n
He\u2019d led a fireteam, once; commanded a small crew aboard his ship, back when he\u2019d been a proper Guardian. But then he\u2019d been rooted out, and\u2026<\/p>\n
One of his own squirmed in his grip. His left hand held the traitor steady, his right leveled the hand cannon at the man\u2019s head. Aaren felt the blood trickle from his mouth, down the side of his jaw. <\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou betrayed us all!\u201d <\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThere was money! So much left! Please, Talon, don\u2019t shoo-!\u201d <\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The next second, there was only red. Red tinting his vision, red blood flying through the air, red brains splattering the walls of his ship. The man\u2019s entire upper head was gone, the facial region from the mouth up obliterated. Aaren released the corpse, ears ringing and eyes wide. <\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Behind him, four bodies were splayed out on the floor, heads twisted at awkward angles or wounds to the chest and stomach still seeping dark red, almost black liquid. The whole corridor stank of iron. <\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 On that day, he\u2019d renamed his ship. The <\/i>Fireblade was no more, and Aaren could only think of the color red. The <\/i>Crimson had taken its place. How fitting, that the color red should re-define him, that his chosen color\u2019s antithesis should-<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/i>Aaren growled, the sound coming from low in his throat. Don\u2019t think about that. There\u2019s only the mission now. <\/i>The Hunter continued to move forwards, raising himself slightly from where he\u2019d frozen, leaning in silent pain on a tree. Another ten minutes passed. Then fifteen, then thirty, and Aaren suddenly halted, pulling the butt of his rifle into his shoulder and aiming down the sights. In front of him, a creature of bronzed metal, one gleaming red eye set in a large, fan-like protrusion that served as a head- a Vex. The hands held an alien rifle, one pointed directly\u2026 not at him. It had stopped only to turn around again and walk back the other way.<\/p>\n
The Guardian had been holding his breath without realizing it, and heaved a sigh of relief. It\u2019s only on patrol, <\/i>Aaren realized, but it\u2019ll be back. <\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/i>Talon prepared himself to burst out of cover and begin to run, but as he poked his head around the tree he stood behind, he saw a problem. The forest had thinned out a half-mile back, causing Aaren to move a bit faster, but still provided sufficient cover for the Hunter in which to move. However, here was a dilemma- the last fifty meters of space between him and a large stone structure were completely open, no cover to hide behind. All trees of any sort had been burned down, and the large clearing boasted no small amount of Vex, walking back and forth on the black soil. Overhead, a heavily armed Vex dropship roared across the clearing, deafening Aaren for a few moments.<\/p>\n
The Hunter held his position, his rifle still tracking the Vex in front of him. The single word ingrained on the lower receiver glinted in the afternoon sun. Fireblaze. Talon considered both his position and the rifle\u2019s unique talents for a moment, formulating a plan of action. Stealth, more obviously than not, was out of the question. However, taking on a whole army of Vex, followed by a gunship, was not a particularly intelligent idea.<\/p>\n
So Tarek was right\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/i>About a month and a half ago, Aaren had taken a call from an old friend- turned informant. Tarek had rambled on about increased Vex activity in South America, the possibility of some \u201cgreat and powerful\u201d artifact, and then abruptly ceased transmission. While the Hunter didn\u2019t like the idea of going into what could have been a trap, he\u2019d taken the job- accidentally \u201cforgetting\u201d to notify the Council of Guardians, much like he usually did.<\/p>\n
As long as it\u2019s done, they gain something, and I survive, I doubt they could care less about what I do. Besides, after this is all over, I\u2019ll make up some story and carry on my way.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/i>Aaren turned his mind back to the scene at hand, examining the Vex from his position on his stomach. A newly christened Guardian would attack at night, he knew- but the Vex were machines, and regardless of their circuitry, their single eye did not have the same faults as those of a human\u2019s, which effectively ruled out any advantage to be gained by darkness.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m no exo, either. Can\u2019t afford to take any hits. Could possibly pull back, try to pick them off\u2026 no, not an option. Too many of them. They\u2019ve got air support, as well. Which means\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/i>Behind the faceless anonymity of his helmet, Aaren winced. The Hunter took a few seconds to retreat, pushing himself backwards on his elbows before he took the opportunity to move back into his crouched position, backtracking further into the cover of the forest. From there, the Guardian keyed in his helmet mic and muttered a few words, making a single call.<\/p>\n
Allan Griffost had no particular love for the man named Aaren Talon. In fact, he had no love at all. However, he owed the Hunter a certain debt, and was honor bound to repay it. The Awoken in the pilot\u2019s seat of the Gunslinger Fate <\/i>allowed a grimace to distort his otherwise perfect features- features which were characteristic of the alien race humans called \u2018The Awoken\u2019- as he saw the name on the display readout of his shipboard comms system. Allan debated upon the pros and cons of ignoring the call entirely- Traveler take the debts- but decided against it, eventually relenting and rapping the \u201caccept transmissions\u201d key.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you want, Talon?\u201d<\/p>\n
The voice on the other end had changed little since the Awoken had last heard it, retaining the calm depth often characteristic of men who daily gambled their life. Yet here, it seemed tired, almost raspy.<\/p>\n
\u201cAllan Griffost. Wasn\u2019t sure if you\u2019d pick up. I want<\/i> your help.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy should I give it to you?\u201d Allan hissed, knowing perfectly well that he was obliged to fulfill his debt.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause I didn\u2019t kill you the last time you betrayed me. Could have, you know. Considered it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026You should get somebody else. I\u2019m sure I\u2019m not your first pick.\u201d<\/p>\n
A slight silence before Aaren\u2019s next sentence marked his hesitation\u2026 or, as the Awoken was want to believe, his wry amusement.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re right about that. In fact,\u201d the Hunter said, voice suddenly muffled, \u201cyou were my last. But nobody else would be stupid enough to follow me down here, not unless they owed a life debt. If it makes you feel any better, I really will <\/i>blow your brains onto the floor if you double cross me again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Allan leaned back, silently cursing his luck as his right hand uncurled and curled in the darkness of the Gunslinger of Fate, <\/i>wishing he had the option of clicking the transmission off and forgetting about the Hunter. Meanwhile, he stared silently down at a horribly massacred left hand, one which had some functionality, but was scarred in multiple places, missing the smallest finger, and missing large chunks of flesh.<\/p>\n
However, he didn\u2019t. And that complicated things somewhat more. Aaren\u2019s voice cut through the silence around him again.<\/p>\n
\u201cCaptain Griffost. There\u2019s one more reason- and that\u2019s because you\u2019re good. Not the best. But good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Allan\u2019s upper lip twisted in a sneer. \u201cIf you think flattery will help, Talon, you\u2019re wrong. But I\u2019m listening. Only because I owe you; nothing more.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood. Here\u2019s what I need.\u201d<\/p>\n
The next several minutes were spent in a hushed conversation. At its end, the Gunslinger<\/i>\u2019s pilot cursed for an uninterrupted ten seconds.<\/p>\n
\u201cTalon, you\u2019re mad. I\u2019m not risking my ship.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ll risk your ship if I ask you to, because you owe me a life-debt.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI swear by The Traveler, if you in any way damage my ship, I will kill you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Aaren gave the barest of laughs before saying, \u201cYou already want to. Already tried, already failed. See you soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Hunter disconnected, and Allan\u2019s next curse fell upon the deaf air. Suddenly, the Awoken stood, pacing the length of his bridge as he considered his options. When he halted once more, Allan smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201cFine then, old friend. We\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n
Aaren glanced at his chrono as he flicked a bug off his shoulder, then looked up at the sky. It\u2019s been five minutes. Patience is a virtue. Although it\u2019s not as if he\u2019s halfway across the system…<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/i>When he\u2019d last checked, at least. From his knowledge, Allan had been docked at a bay near Saturn, but for all he knew, the Awoken pilot could have flown as far away as possible from Aaren and let him rot.<\/p>\n
It occurred to Aaren that perhaps he was not as confident in his one-time ally\u2019s reliability as he had let on. <\/i>However, the man did owe him a life-debt, and in this case, Aaren hoped his judgment had been correct. Because the Hunter distinctly remembered the first time Allan had betrayed him.<\/p>\n
\u201cTalon. Why don\u2019t we just back away and get out of here? You\u2019re a Hunter, not some ch\u2019katla Titan!\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Aaren glared at his companion before he looked back at the door in front of him, his weapon\u2019s sights trained at its center. It led into a ruined stone building, which looked about large enough for two- possibly three- rooms. All around them, the same buildings were scattered through what had been a human settlement. Fallen bodies were splayed across the ground.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBecause I have the lock to the <\/i>Crimson, your ship is off-world and being repaired, and these people need our help.\u201d <\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Griffost cursed the Hunter under his breath, watching the Guardian carefully as he stood with his back to the Awoken pilot. Suddenly, the barest of ideas began to form in his head. On the other side of the door, he knew that three civilians were waiting, being guarded by a large amount of Fallen. What the aliens wanted with them, Allen didn\u2019t know\u2026 nor did he particularly care, as charging in would most likely cause the death of both himself and Aaren.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 But then again\u2026 the Awoken hadn\u2019t been on good terms with the Guardian for a while- not since the human had grown so oversentimental after changing his ship\u2019s name. And because he knew that more Fallen were on the way, because he could almost <\/i>see his corpse\u2019s bones whitening under the sun of the God-forsaken planet they were on, he did what he saw fit. What he <\/i>had to. Something that had been in the makings a very long time. <\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/i>Click.<\/p>\n
Aaren froze. \u201cAllan\u2026\u201d <\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou can try and save these people if you want,\u201d he hissed, \u201cbut you should know that it\u2019s a useless endeavor. So instead, you\u2019re going to give me the lock for the <\/i>Crimson, and I\u2019m going to leave. Turn around slowly and drop your rifle.\u201d <\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Hunter did as he was told, carefully putting his weapon down. When he looked back up, he saw the exact nature of the threat. The Awoken held a small hold-out pistol in his left hand at Aaren\u2019s head, easily concealable and carried by many pilots. <\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNow the lock. Slowly.\u201d <\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In the distance, Aaren could barely hear the hunting calls of more Fallen. Time was not on the side of the Guardian. But more disturbingly, behind him, through the door, he heard the screaming of three civilians, sharp and grating, followed by a sudden silence. Then it started again, slightly weaker. Somebody had died- the Hunter could feel it. Aaren gritted his teeth. <\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/i>Too late again.<\/p>\n
The Awoken jabbed the gun forwards. \u201cI <\/i>said, give me the lock.\u201d <\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Aaren spat out a curse as he reached behind his back with his left arm, gripping the electronic device that would provide the signature to automatically unlock the <\/i>Crimson\u2019s controls. Every ship in the galaxy had one, each completely unique, and it was the only way to grant control of a ship- at least for the first time- to another captain, or in some cases, even remotely pilot a ship. <\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSlowly now,\u201d Allan said, \u201cI don\u2019t want to have to kill you, but I will.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Aaren began to pull the lock from behind his back, slowly as needed. However, he retained no illusions as to the Awoken\u2019s intentions- he was needed out of the way. Any chance of survival, and Allan knew the Hunter would find him eventually. <\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Another scream, another silence. Another start. The Fallen\u2019s noise grew closer.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/i>Only one left.<\/p>\n
Aaren dropped the lock, a small piece of equipment about four six inches in length and two in width, into the Awoken pilot\u2019s hand, watching Griffost\u2019s eyes as he gained remote control of the <\/i>Crimson.<\/p>\n
There.<\/p>\n
A slight waver, the smallest lapse of concentration. Aaren\u2019s next movements were lightning-fast, and the Hunter knew from experience that he would have only two seconds to make his move, to make the deciding move.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 One. <\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Aaren moved his head and neck to the right, simultaneously bringing his left hand up to push the Awoken\u2019s gun hand in the opposite direction. His right reached for the hand cannon he kept in the holster at his side. At one time, he\u2019d been the fastest draw there was. Was he still?<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Two.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Allan\u2019s index finger spasmed in surprise as the Hunter took action, and the holdout fired a single shot before Aaren\u2019s left forearm pushed the Awoken\u2019s arm upwards and to Griffost\u2019s right. As the gun dropped, Allan\u2019s hand and arm spewed black blood into the air, cut by the jagged steel hooks on Aaren\u2019s vambraces. A finger, severed from the hand, dropped to the ground as the hand opened and the gun fell with it. Aaren drew his head back, depending on the cold metal helmet to make a solid impact, and snapped it back downwards, headbutting the Awoken. <\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The human stood over his betrayer, hand cannon pointed downwards and at Allan\u2019s head. On the ground, the pilot stared up in shock and pain, holding his mangled hand. Aaren\u2019s finger twitched on the trigger. He was tempted, so tempted, to fire. His resolve strengthened. <\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And then, another scream. The last one. And deep, alien laughter.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Aaren released the pressure on his gun\u2019s trigger, suddenly holstering it. The Hunter reached up to his head, unclasped his hood, and removed his helmet. Allan could see the cold fury burning in his eyes. <\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Aaren knelt, and then punched the Awoken. Then again. And again. And again, until Allan was only a huddled, bloodied, whimpering figure on the ground. The Fallen\u2019s cries grew nearer. The Hunter hooked his helmet onto his belt, then used both hands to heft the Awoken pilot up, dragging him behind another stone ruin, this one slightly larger. As he did, Aaren heard the opening of a door behind him, and only seconds after, the arrival of more fallen. <\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Allan moaned slightly, leading the Hunter to put the cool metal of his right vambrace into the pilot\u2019s mouth, softly enough so as to not cause any permanent damage to the man\u2019s face. The other, already dripping with the Awoken\u2019s blood, was held ready at Griffost\u2019s neck. Aaren leaned close, staring the man in the eyes. Allan saw the calculating gaze behind the unforgiving blue eyes, saw that the rage was no longer there. And that scared him more than anything. <\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Aaren spent what had felt like a lifetime there, cloaking the two of them in the shadows with the dark blue of his cape, melding the two colors together and hiding both men. Eventually, the harsh clacking of alien tongues retreated into silence. Aaren waited for another thirty seconds before he drew the hand cannon again, stood, and aimed it downwards. Allan looked up, blood streaming from his face where Aaren had hit him. The Hunter pulled the hammer of the weapon back.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cJust\u2026 kill me.\u201d <\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Aaren pushed a strand of brown hair out of his eyes as he smiled, a cold gesture that held no goodwill. <\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNo, Allan. I\u2019m going to do something so much worse than that.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Awoken\u2019s face suddenly twisted into a mix of absolute terror and anger. <\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNo, Talon! NO! Don\u2019t you do it, you son of a- NO!\u201d <\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Hunter pushed the hammer back into its original position, ignoring the protests of the Awoken. Then, he re-holstered the weapon and intoned several words in a different language. Beneath him, the Awoken stilled, crying tears of absolute rage. <\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAnd now, Captain Griffost, you owe me a life debt. Isn\u2019t it grand that I was raised by your people?\u201d\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Short note: I read the feedback, and I’m really glad y’all appreciate what I’m doing. The colors are a conscious choice; I’m currently trying to incorporate them more strongly into the plot. Honestly, directly after I wrote part 1, I fell asleep, woke up the next day, and started writing like crazy. Right now, I’m […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[57,59,18,52,62,60,37,4,61,58],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/destiny.bungie.org\/fanfic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/492"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/destiny.bungie.org\/fanfic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/destiny.bungie.org\/fanfic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/destiny.bungie.org\/fanfic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/destiny.bungie.org\/fanfic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=492"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/destiny.bungie.org\/fanfic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/492\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":537,"href":"https:\/\/destiny.bungie.org\/fanfic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/492\/revisions\/537"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/destiny.bungie.org\/fanfic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=492"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/destiny.bungie.org\/fanfic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=492"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/destiny.bungie.org\/fanfic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=492"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}