The shadows have become so familiar to me… silent, listless companions that shepherd me through the darkness of the nights unscathed. I find shelter in their vaporous embrace, hiding until the morning light mercifully breaks. Since our return, peaceful sleep has evaded me. I’m sure it’s the same for the others.

I look up from the black helm I was cradling in my hands as familiar blue beams of light banished the shadows, revealing the sparse living quarters. A few imprints of my personality dotted the small room, the tall shelf stuffed full of tattered books on the Golden Age, different trophies from my exploits against the Darkness’s armies hung from the walls while my weathered weapons leaned against the stiff cot.

“Eyes up, Arioch. You have a visitor.” The Ghost, my floating geometrical companion, whispered as if she were worried that whoever waited outside my door would hear. I already knew who it was, she had been checking up on me at least twice a day ever since we returned. I think it’s just as much for her sake as it is for mine.

“Thank you, Avalon.” I replied quietly. Avalon, as she had christened herself, flared once and the lock on the door clicked. The door slid open and the tall, slender woman lithely walked through, the bright morning light momentarily blinding me before the door smoothly slid shut. Sweeping her floor length cloak to the side, the Hunter silently settled into the thin mattress beside me.

There were no words needed just yet, just the companionship the closeness brought was enough to soothe the fresh scars the Darkness had left on us. The hood of her cloak was pulled back, her helmet gone to reveal the fair face that I don’t get to see enough of. The dark curtains of her hair hid one gleaming emerald iris as she regarded me.

“Arioch… have you slept at all since…since we got back?” She asked quietly. Her voice, once so sure and coolly detached, was hesitant, shy even. I spare her a brief glance, not acknowledging the worry reflected in her eyes.

“No, Tana… have you?” I go back to staring at the black helm.

Tana scoffed bitterly while sliding a knife from her belt, deftly twirling it around her fingers as she looked away. It was an old habit of hers, usually to help keep her focus. Or when she was nervous. “It depends on your definition of sleep. I lay my head on the pillow and close my eyes, but…”

“All you dream of are the machines.” I finish softly.

“And them.” Tana said, her voice unsteady. That sent a needle-sharp pang of guilt through me and my fingers tightened on the helm.

“And them.” I agree through the lump in my throat.

We fall silent, the only sounds were of Avalon’s mechanical clicking and the swishing of Tana’s knife. Finally, she asked, “When is your meeting with the Speaker?”

“You mean my tribunal? In a few minutes.” I say bitterly. I sat the battered helm on the table next to the cot, its obsidian visage swallowing the shadows.

“I don’t think it will be like that, Arioch.” Tana countered lightly. “My meeting was quick and painless…well as painless as it could have been. The only other person there was Cayde.”

“Well, I guess we’ll see. I heard that all three mentors will be there and possibly Lord Saladin. You can’t tell me that doesn’t sound like a panel of judges to you.” I reply, looking back at her. She didn’t seem to have a response so I just nodded. “I thought so.”

“Zavala let you keep it, I see.” Tana said, obviously keen to change the subject, as she tapped the gold encrusted launcher that was propped against the bed with the blade of her knife. I motion for her to pass me the ornate weapon.

Admiring the sheer deadly beauty of the rocket launcher, I replied, “He fought against it with everything he had, told me it was a Titan’s weapon, but in the end he folded. Though I think he will appeal to Saladin, if he’s there.”

“You should have it. And I think you should wear it to the meeting. That and the other gun…that bronze hand cannon your Ghost created.” Tana sheathed her knife and stood, indicating that I should do the same. “Even if it is just to irk Zavala.”

Between the light quip and Tana’s all too rare smile, I find myself chuckling a little as I connect the launcher to the magnetic strips on the back of my armor and holster the hand cannon to the small of my back. For that brief moment of holding the weapon, the powerful currant of arc energy sent a spine tingling surge up my arm. Not bothering to grab my helm, I walk up to the door as Avalon disappeared in a blue flash, though she was still with me.

“You’re coming with me?” I ask as we step out together into the brisk morning air. This part of the Tower was usually quiet and today was no exception. The only sounds were that of the bird’s gentle songs on the wind and the distant roar of returning ships.

“I wouldn’t let you go alone.” Tana replied softly, though I could detect the warmth there. “I’ve always liked this part of the Tower. It’s so peaceful here…the Hunter quarters are nothing like this. It’s all drab and target practice over there. Not that I don’t enjoy that…”

“One of the perks of being a scholar, I guess.” I joked lightly, though she was right. The Warlock living spaces were different than the others. It was the elegant simplicity and the somber quiet that gave it the feeling of being in a massive library, which in a way it was. Often, you would find a Warlock or two sitting amongst the peaceful gardens and stone statues with a dusty tome or debating quietly about the lost history of the Golden Age.

As we step into the elevator that would take us up to Tower North, I say to her, “I appreciate you coming with me, Tana. It’ll be easier knowing you’re just outside.”

Tana, never one for showing her feelings so baldly, looked down to her boots. “It’s nothing, Arioch.” We both fall into a long awkward silence that seemed painfully stretch along the elevator ride.

“Tower North.” Avalon announced pointedly, as if to break the awkwardness and yet still call attention to it. I could feel her amusement. I waited for Tana to exit the elevator before stepping out into the unusually quiet square, the Speaker’s hollow a silent bastion before us.

“It’s quiet today.” I noted as we started toward the stairs that would take us to the Tower Plaza. Aside from the few frames carrying out their mundane duties, the place was virtually empty. A few of the tower residents past us, offering polite pleasantries. Soon, only the echoing of our footsteps accompanied us as we walked down the long hallway.

“A lot us are out on patrol, the Fallen activity along the City’s border has spiked as they move to engage the Hive spilling out onto the surface.” Tana replied as she lightly stepped out of the path of broom wielding frame who seemed intent on sweeping every last particle of dust from the concrete floor.

“The Hive… I never thought we would see them here on Earth…where could they be coming from? I thought we cleared out that spawning ground in the Skywatch?” I asked as we finally stepped out into the open plaza. It too was nearly empty of personnel, Guardians and vendors alike. The wind picked up as we swiftly walked to the stairs leading to the mentor’s hall, whipping my long coat around my legs.

Tana brushed the dark hair from her face, “We did, but now they’re crawling out of every cave for miles.”

The soaring ramparts of the glorious warrior sanctuary that was the Tower did nothing to halt our stride. The wonderment had died all too soon as we were thrust into a war that we had nothing to do with, let alone understand. Resurrected from our dreamless sleep to wield the potent power of the Light, we Guardians had no say in what to do with our new life. While the power we wield might be a privilege to most, I only see it as a violent chain to a broken god we barely understand.

The shattered sphere of the Traveler hung over the City like a decaying monument to an age that will forever be out of our reach. As I spare it a brief glance, I am again overcome with bitterness at how little we understand it. To me, it’s benevolence towards humanity raises more questions than assurances.

Why us? What sets us apart from the other countless species it must have encountered?

Doing my best to cast off the bitterness, I nod to the few Guardians we do pass as we head down into the Tower once more. All I knew only in passing, not by name. Such as it is with this life, we spend too much time fighting and not enough time talking. There isn’t enough time between firefights to get to know the others.

“Shaxx.” I say in greeting as we pass the enormous Crucible master, who was poring over a dismantled rifle.

“Arioch. Tana.” Lord Shaxx replied in his noble voice, looking up and nodding to each of them in turn. He then pointed to my back, noticing my weapons. “By the Traveler, is that what I think it is?”

“Yes.”

“How did you come by such a weapon, Warlock? Crux and Lomar only made so many…” He trailed off in astonishment.

“Through pain and darkness…Tell me, Shaxx, is Lord Saladin here?” I inquire while shifting uncomfortably. He didn’t know. He didn’t know I couldn’t be the one to tell him. Even through his expressionless armor I could see the Crucible master stiffen at the mention of his former mentor.

“I wouldn’t know…is there something going on? I saw the Speaker pass through here not too long ago followed by a bunch of Awoken.”

“Awoken?” I ask sharply. That couldn’t mean…

“Indeed, Reef born too, by the style of their armor.”

I trade a nervous look with Tana before excusing myself form the Titan. He simply nodded and continued with his tinkering. As soon as we were a good distance away, Avalon spoke up, “You don’t think that means she came here, do you?”

“It definitely means that they’re aware of what happened. But I supposed it’s possible. ” I answer, hesitating outside the mentor’s hall.

“Well, hopefully the prince isn’t here…I don’t think can stop you two from killing each other a second time.” Avalon sighed.

“Agreed…Well, here goes I guess.” I say with a weak smile at Tana. I only took a few steps before I realized she wasn’t following. “Are you coming?”

She shook her head and leaned against a wall, her arms crossed, “Cayde said it would be better if I stayed out here. They’ll send for me if I’m needed. Go on, Arioch. You’re late already.” When I didn’t move, Tana smiled warmly and said, “I’ll be here when you finish. I promise.”

I nod and smile back, but don’t say anything. I merely took a deep breath and walked through the archway. The array of eyes that locked onto me made me freeze. The three mentors were there seated in their usual places. Commander Zavala, the hardened Titan general was at the head of the long table. Cayde-6, the lethal and somewhat roguish Exo Hunter was lounging to my left. Ikora, my mentor, was leaving her spot at the foot of the table to meet me.

“You’re late, Arioch.” She whispered as motioned for me to join her. The Speaker, with his faceless, stark white mask stood as well, but didn’t say anything. Lord Saladin, the gold trimmed armor of the Iron Lords glinting in the light, stood off to the side like a silent sentinel. Though his eyes narrowed as he caught sight of the weapon at my back.

“I know. I’m sorry.” I whisper back as I stepped up to the table.

“Don’t tell me, tell them.”

I look up and clear my throat with some difficulty, “I apologize for my lateness…” I trail off as everyone’s eyes flick up behind me. I turn and my blood ran cold.

There standing at the top of the stairs in all her haughty beauty, was the Queen. Her cool eyes surveyed the gathered Guardians with something that approached disdainful indifference. Her royal guard flanked around her as she descended the steps. One was helmetless and immediately to her right, her amaranthine fringes hugging one side of her face. While one piercing iris was constantly flickering between the table occupants, the other was hidden behind a dark metal covering.

“I see that I’m not the only one late. Like your fellow Guardian here, I too apologize for my lateness. I had a matter than needed tending…” The Queen pronounced in her silky voice, her eyes burning as she stared at me. “For those you who don’t know, I am Mara Sov, Queen of the Reef. Please, allow me introduce my new emissary to the City, Petra Venji.” The helmetless woman nodded, her fringes falling over her covered eye, but didn’t say anything. “Now, if we could get started.”

As the Queen swept past me she murmured, “The prince sends his regards, Warlock.”

I scoff and say lowly, “I’m sure he does.”

I thought I heard her chuckle lightly as she went to stand behind Zavala, her guard falling in line. Zavala shifted uncomfortably, uneasy with all the armed Reef guards standing just inches from him, but he didn’t voice his discomfort. Instead he says, “Agreed. Speaker, if you will.”

Still standing, the Speaker said “First, I will begin by saying that this meeting is not lay blame on anyone. It is merely to find out what events transpired one week ago on the surface of planet Venus. Now, to the best of my knowledge and from the account of his one remaining companion, this Guardian, Warlock Arioch Karis led a fire team of Guardians on an assault on the Vault of Glass.”

“Tana and I are not the only survivors.” I interject, finding my voice. The mere mention of the Vault has sent shudders down my spine and left my mouth dry. I look over at Cayde, “He is still alive, isn’t he, Cayde?”

The Hunter leaned forward on his elbows, his mechanical face hesitant, “Fenris is alive. He only just regained consciousness this morning. He wanted to be here, but I didn’t think it was a good idea. He is still too weak to be moving around.”

“What exactly happened to Fenris-17?” Zavala asked, folding his metal encased fingers into a steeple. His pale eyes were bored into me from across the long table. He was seething at the very sight of me, and no one seemed to notice…except for the Queen. Her haughty eyes moved to Zavala’s back, her eyes brows slightly raised.

“I don’t know how it could have happened but…Fenris’ light has been stripped from him. I don’t think he is a Guardian any longer.” I reply hesitantly as I look from the Speaker to Cayde. Cayde merely shrugged while the Speaker somehow managed to look pensive beneath his stark mask.

“We won’t know of his condition nor his status as a Guardian until he regains more of his strength.” Speaker said, speaking to Cayde but looking at me, “Or when we know more about how he was attacked.”

Shaking the pale hair from my face, I say lowly, “It wasn’t just an attack…it was if time itself was determined to wipe him from existence. His Ghost didn’t stand a chance, it imploded in on itself within seconds…it was as if it knew how vital the Ghost was to Fenris’ survival.”

“It?” Ikora looked to me, her face wary as she searched my own. The other mentors had stiffened at the unease in my words and the Queen’s brow furrowed slightly. “What was it that attacked Fenris?”