[b] I apologize for the delay of this part, there were issues that I needed to address. Picking up where we left the Fallen. If you missed part 1, here's the link: https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/130096956/0/0/1 If you missed any other chapters, here's the link to the Index: https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/128755126/0/0 [/b] [u]Chapter 5: [i]Into the Fray (part 2)[/i][/u] “Ventryx, ETA to the LZ is 30 seconds,” Jevik announced. The Skiff boomed as it entered the lower atmosphere of Earth. It broke through the clouds and descended into an area unlike any that Rorschach had seen before. Green land stretched on for miles, only giving way to rising mountains, though they were covered in growth as well. The hatches of the Skiff opened and the Fallen soldiers dropped down from the hooks, their feet landing on the soft dirt beneath the tall grass. “It’s so green here,” remarked Taliks, who was staring in awe at the vast land in front of her. “Welcome to Wales, yes?” Greevis replied Crates then materialized from the Skiff and fell to the ground; Tizak opened one of the boxes and took out a Shock rifle and a Shock Blade, strapping both on his back. The other Vandals opened up the other crates and too out weapons of their own. Tizak then motioned for the three Dregs to come over, handing each of them a Dagger and A Shock Pistol. “Don’t make me regret givin’ ya these, I reckon you know how they work, eh?” he clicked in a gruff tone, looking each of them in the eyes. The Dregs quickly nodded and turned to leave, but were stopped. “Oy, get back over ‘ere you fools. Ya need armor n’ helmets if you want to have a chance out there. Here, pop an Ether seed while you’re at it.” He then reached into the box and pulled out three helmets and sets of armor. After handing the armor to the Dregs and helping them put it on, Tizak left them, and walked over to join the others. Once the Dregs were ready to go, Ventryx led them down the hill and into a nearby city. The Fallen made their way down to a cobblestone road. They followed it in a tight group: Ventryx and some Vandals in the front, the Dregs in the center, and Prelik with Randor and Regran in the rear. They passed by old, rundown stone buildings, some of them entirely claimed by nature. “Stay sharp, group. Belox, do you see anything?” Ventryx asked. Belox shook his head, his ever watchful eyes, continuously scanned the area, but there were no disturbances. The Fallen kept moving through the despaired city. It was mostly silent in the old town, the only noise coming from the Fallen’s footsteps. Signs eerily creaked as gusts of wind howled through the hollow and empty streets. Dark, monstrous clouds formed and began to blot out the sun. They continued through the city, passing by a large castle. Rorschach tried to read the sign in front of it, but it was riddled with bullet holes. “Caldicot Castle.” Eeslanith muttered to Rorschach. The Dreg gave him a quizzical look, “How do you know?” “Because,” Eeslanith said, “I fought inside those walls. Broke through what little defense the Guardians had set up.” Our House’s flag should be up on that tower, but it’s not anymore. The air cooled down fast once they passed by the Castle, making Rorschach’s hands shake. Shivers went up his spine when he passed a car with a skeleton in it; it’s dying moans and screams echoing in his ears, messing with his mind. “I don’t like this place,” he whispered to Taliks. “I feel like we’re being watched.” “I know Rorschach, it’s creeping me out too.” She whispered back. The Fallen kept trekking through the seemingly haunted city. The dark storm clouds gathered above the city, shrouding it in shadow. The ambience rose and fell quietly, but it made the Dregs nervous. They became paranoid as they glanced around all dark corners and into broken windows. Randor took notice of this opportunity and decided to mess with the scared Dregs. “Hey,” he whispered, “see that clock tower over there in the distance?” The Dregs nodded, “Heh, well legend goes that three Dregs went up there for loot, but found something else instead. Do you want to know what it was? “The suspicious Dregs looked at each other, then back at Randor, and shook their heads. “Well I’m going to tell you anyways. So, the Dregs went up into the tower looking for loot and found a…Guardian!” The Dregs jumped when he said the word, but he continued. “Haha, yes they found a Guardian, and do you know what that Guardian did? It took out its long hooked knife and gutted each little Dreg like a fish,” Taliks’ gasped, Rorschach’s and Grash’s mouths hung open in horror. “Oh, but the Guardian didn’t stop there,” Randor continued, “No, after that, the Guardian chopped up the screaming little Dregs, and one by one, ate them up!” Rorschach, Taliks, and Grash all looked at Randor in horror as he laughed maniacally. The group crossed a bridge that overlooked a deep, flowing river. Rorschach peered over the railing, hoping to see fish swimming across it, but instead saw the bones sticking out of the black water. This place is a graveyard. A loud and booming thunder rumbled from the clouds, making Rorschach jump. He turned away from the edge and caught up with the others, who were making their way into a bombed out courtyard. “Stop,” Belox announced. He walked forward into the courtyard to a group of mangled and bloody bodies, flies swarming around them. Kneeling down, he looked them over, checking for markings and wounds. Looking back at Ventryx he nodded his head, “Some of ours. Brutally murdered. Must’ve been looking for loot, never saw it coming. “He said. “Anything left?” Ventryx asked. Belox just shook his head. “Nothing,” he started to walk back over, “The bodies aren’t completely decayed, which means this happened today. There are traces of Wire Rifle shots, though; I think this was done by the same…” Rorschach peeked out from behind Eeslanith as Belox talked; he looked past Belox and into the window of an old building, seeing something moving inside. What is that? He wondered. Suddenly, a glow came from the window, it grew brighter and bluer and a loud crack rang out through the city. Rorschach’s eyes grew wide with realization. “Belox, look out!” Rorschach screamed just as another clap of thunder boomed. Time seemed to stop as he lunged forward, but he was too late. A loud, gut wrenching crack reverberated in his ears as blood splattered across his face. Ether sprang out from where Belox’s head should’ve been and his body crumpled to the floor. Rorschach stared in horror at the sight. “Shit! Sniper, take cover!” Ventryx roared. She quickly acted and pushed everyone out of the road. “Rorschach, come on, move! You have to leave him!” Rorschach couldn’t move though, he felt paralyzed. Slowly, he brought his shaking hand up, touching the thick blood running down his face. He looked up from his comrade’s body, and saw a lone Guardian slowly walking towards him. She lined up her gun against her shoulder and got ready to fire another shot. I’m going to die here, he realized. Suddenly, a blur of black and gray came in front of Rorschach, just as another crack rang out. A grunt came from Prelik, as he deflected the arc shot. He stood over Rorschach menacingly, protecting him from the Guardian, whom was taken aback by the sight. “Move, Dreg!” Prelik roared. He picked up and tossed Rorschach behind a building, while he raised his Shrapnel Launcher and fired it in bursts at the Guardian, but she rolled out of the way. “Come on Demon, fight me!” Prelik yelled defiantly in a language unfamiliar to Rorschach. He put his gun on the ground and stepped forward, unfazed by the Guardian. The Guardian stood and taunted Prelik, “Hahahaha… so the Fallen can speak our language. Turns out your race does posses some intelligence.” “Prelik, fall back!” Ventryx shouted, “Do not engage with the Guardian!” Without taking his eyes off the Guardian, Prelik refused, “You and I both know that I cannot follow that order, Ventryx. Take everyone back to the Skiff,” he glared at the Guardian, his blue eyes seething with a controlled anger, “this one is mine.” And with that, he charged at the Guardian. The Titan quickly slung her gun on her back and rose her fists. She braced herself for Prelik's charge, but she underestimated his power. The impact pushed her back at least 15 feet, but she remained standing. Prelik lunged at her, bringing all four of his fists down on her head like a Striker Titan, but she sidestepped to the left and drove her first into his ribs, pushing him back. She unleashed a barrage of punches on the Captain, pushing him back. Dazing him for a moment, the Titan took this opportunity to kick him square in the chest, sending him sprawling. The Titan ran and launched herself at the Fallen, fist aimed towards his head. Prelik roared as the Titan came in close. He caught her fist in his hand,and used her momentum against her, launching her into the side of a building. She pulled herself out of the crater and jumped high above the Captain, but he latched onto her leg and threw her down into the cobblestone. He grabbed her head and slammed it into the ground, making sure she wouldn't get up. Prelik then grabbed the Titan by the neck and lifted her, her feet dangling high above the ground. "You Guardians are so weak, Death must visit often, hmm? he said as he laughed, unsheathing his Shock Blade. The Guardian looked at the Captain through her shattered visor, "Oh, I'm not dead yet you son of a bitch." she clicked a button on her forearm. Prelik looked back as the Guardian's ship rose, it's guns trained on him. He threw the Titan to the ground and dashed inside a nearby building. Hearing it leave, Prelik walked out, roaring in anger as the ship sped off through the sky.