Here's part 25 of Into the Hellmouth! As usual, if you like it, give it a bump, and I'll have the next part out asap! Here's part [url=]https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/206899217?page=0&sort=0&showBanned=0&path=124[/url] if you missed it! Stay classy, Guardians!
The other Guardians quickly joined them as the procession slipped out of view. “What is that?” Omar asked.
Toland sucked in a breath. “So it’s true,” he said. “He does have a soul crystal.”
Eriana frowned. “Explain,” she said.
Toland continued to stare into the valley. “Think about it,” he said, “Crota needs a way to get him and his power between our world and his, correct? He needs a way to manifest himself here! I figured that his essence - his soul - would need to have a physical link in this world. I called it ‘the soul crystal.’” He looked off into the valley, his gaze hungry. “I wasn’t even sure that they existed until now!”
“Well, now you know that they do!” said Eris. “So, what do we do.”
Toland grinned wildly. “Don’t you see?” he said, “we destroy it.”
Sai frowned. “I thought we were here for Crota,” she said.
“Exactly,” Toland said.
“Then why are we going after this ‘soul crystal?’” Omar asked.
Toland sighed. “Must I explain everything?” he grumbled. He turned towards Omar. “That crystal,” he began, “allows Crota to move back and forth between worlds with ease. Without it, he would remain trapped in one realm or the other.”
“So if we destroy it while he’s in his throne world. . .” Eriana said. .
“He can never invade Earth,” Eris finished.
Toland nodded. “Good,” he said. “Very good!”
Vell frowned. “But this crystal,” he said, “if we destroy it, can’t they just build another?”
Toland stared at Vell in utter disbelief for a moment. “The crystal contains his soul!” he said. “His very essence! Destroy it, and his soul is scattered to the winds! You can’t simply make a new one!”
“Then why don’t they just fix it?” Vell asked.
Toland looked shocked, his jaw hanging open like a massive crater on his face. Then, he closed it. “Titans,” he muttered, shaking his head. He began to walk off.
Eriana looked out at him. “Wait,” she said.
Toland turned toward her. “Yes?”
“Those knights that were with the procession,” she said, “I’ve seen them before.”
Eris nodded. “So have I,” she agreed, “those knights - they lead the charge during the ambush. They killed -“ she stopped herself short, and shook her head. “Too many,” she muttered.
Vell sighed. “They’re more than Knights,” he said. He remembered them from the battle as well.
“They look like Knights,” Eriana rebuked, not even bothering to look back.
“That’s like calling you a tin can,” Vell replied angrily.
Slowly, Eriana turned back towards him. “Excuse me?” she said.
Vell licked his lips. “I’m saying calling them Knights is an understatement,” he said slowly, his voice trembling.
“What are they then?” Omar asked.
“World carvers,” Toland replied. Everyone turned back towards him.
“Meaning?” Omar asked.
“Those swords are neither bone nor steel,” Toland said. “There’s a dark purpose to their edge.”
“Darker than death?” Eriana snorted.
“Death is peace compared to the shadows,” he replied cryptically.
For a moment, all were silent, unsure of how to respond. Then, Omar spoke. “Those Blades cut down more Guardians than I can count,” he said.
“Hundreds.” Vell nodded in agreement.
“Thousands,” Eriana said. She sighed. “The Vanguard should’ve known better.” I should’ve known better, she thought.
Toland sighed. “I tried to warn them,” he said. Everyone looked over at him. Toland had never said anything about attempting to warn the Tower. But they had no reason to assume that he was lying.
Omar cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “But we’re prepared?” he said.
“I am,” Vell said, gripping his pulse rifle even tighter.
Omar looked over at him, annoyed. “Not exactly the question,” he said.
Eris looked out at the valley, and sighed. “I have a feeling Light won’t be enough,” she said.
Eriana stroked her chin. “Then we’ll take their swords from their ashes, and cut them down one-by-one,” she said, “Blade-by-Blade.”
The Guardians turned to face her. The metal in Vell’s pulse rifle screeched in protest as the titan began to grip it even more tightly. “You would wield a weapon of the night?” Eris whispered.
“For him—“ she began. Then, her voice dropped audibly. “ - them? I will butcher any who stand in my way with even the darkest blade.”
“Pray it doesn’t come to that,” Eris snorted. In the end, though, they all knew that prayer would have very little to do with it. The only true God that humanity had known hung above the City, broken and dead. And the gods of Old Earth - even if they had been real - had offered no help to humanity during the collapse, and would offer none now.
No, prayers would have little to do with it indeed.
Vell grimaced. “Heh,” he said. “To cleave our enemies with their own tools of destruction?” He shook his head. “We should be so lucky.”
“You’ve got a strange view on luck,” Omar said, obviously not getting the sarcasm.
Toland smiled. “When you’ve got your hand around the hilt and their ash under your boot, you might change your tune, Hunter,” he said. “Let’s go kill some Hive.” And with that, they began to walk toward the valley.
Edit: Part [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/207212393]26[/url]
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1 ReplyBump! Good job!