Once the two Guardians were inside the bunker, Wraith closed and locked the door behind them. Afterwards, he turned around and sat at a table littered covered with dust and rubble. Clearing off a spot, he waited as the warlock took a seat across from him. When she was seated, he asked the million-glimmer question. “So, what did you learn about this House?” The dark-eyed Exo pulled a hologram projector from a pocket in her robes and set it on the table. When she activated it, the device showed an Eliksni glyph reminiscent of a Fallen skull. “Those Fallen we fought were part of the House of Shadows. They’re one of the oldest Houses left, and one of the most powerful.” Wraith frowned in confusion. “If they’re so powerful, why have I never heard of them before? Why weren’t they at Twilight Gap or Six Fronts? I saw Devil red, Winter blue, even some King gold at both battles, but never a hint of black.” “Well, probably because they’re even more secretive than the Kings. From what I heard, before the Fallen had their Whirlwind, the House of Shadows were the ones to see if you wanted someone dead or some item or information you couldn’t have. Assassins, spies, thieves, you name it. If it was criminal, the Shadows were the best. They were the ones who first developed the precursors to the stealth devices the Fallen use, before the other houses copied their technology. “So, the Shadows were the Fallen equivalent of a crime syndicate?” “In essence, yes. They were incredibly wealthy and had access to the best weapons available. But they preferred to lay traps or assassinate rather than face their enemies in the open. And they had a [i]lot[/i] of enemies. “I can believe that.” “I’m sure you can. Anyway-did you hear that?” Wraith looked around, his shoulders tensing. “Hear what?” “It sounded strange, yet familiar, like a warning signal.” The sound came again, and this time it was audible to both guardians. It was a faint yet distinct tone, recognizable yet alien. Wraith stood, drawing his rifle. “I heard it that time. Sounded like it came from one of the lower floors. What do you think about investigating?” The Warlock silently nodded, a fusion rifle in her hands. Together, the two descended through the bunker, the strange noise growing louder as they explored the decrepit shelter. It rang consistently in their ears, a harsh burst of sound echoing from deeper below every few seconds. While exploring the penultimate level, Tenebra froze as if struck by a bolt of lightning. Her weapon fell from her grasp, landing on the floor with a horrendous clattering. “Oh… Shit.” Wraith spun around, pulse rifle in hand. His friend’s face was a mask of realization and dawning terror “What is it?” “The noise… I remember where I’ve heard it before.” “Where? What is the noise?” “It’s the alarm that played in the Prison of Elders whenever it was time to dismantle the-“ “-Splinter mines… -blam!-, -blam!-! Come on! We have to get out of here!” Pulling the Warlock to her feet, Wraith led the charge to escape the bunker before it was blown apart. One splinter mine could level an entire city block, putting one at the bottom level of the bunker would bring it down like a house of cards. Racing up the last flight of stairs, the two nearly made it to the exit. Nearly. The door was in sight when a massive rumble shook the building. The floor began to collapse, causing the Guardians to fall onto a rapidly growing rubble pile. Wraith shook off the effects of his terrible landing just in time to be skewered by a falling metal beam and subsequently be buried under several tons of rock and metal.