[b]The wait is over Guardians! Did you miss me? No?I didn't think so. Anyways, Chapter 11 is finally here, after the struggles of lost saves and whatnot. If you missed any previous chapters, here's the index: https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/128755126/0/0 [/b] [b]ViridStream84337's is in this Chapter.[/b] [u]Chapter 11: [i]The Ember Caves[/i] [/u] Rorschach walked behind the others as they made their way to the Ember Caves. He didn't want to go back there, the place where he was found, given a name, and a House, yet also given pain. [i]Pain is necessary, though.[/i] He thought to himself. Finally they reached the Caves. It was quiet and lifeless, but you could tell a battle had taken place here not too long ago. It was just as Rorschach had remembered. Breaking away from the group, he climbed up the large rock that jutted out of the ground. It overlooked the entire area and he studied the canyon path that led to the Vex Tower in the distance. [i]That's where the attack force will be coming from.[/i] He looked for any vantage points on the canyon walls but only found one. It would be difficult to climb, but he would do it, first though, he had to let Maddox know where he was going. He trudged to a particular cave that was used has a temporary FOB. Maddox and the others were inside, talking strategies and tactics. "Hey, I found a place where we could ambush them if they come down the road from that Tower," Rorschach interrupted. Maddox looked at him like he wanted to strangle him, but Rorschach stood strong. "Did you really, Dreg?" The Captain asked. Rorschach nodded and clicked again, "I'm going to climb it, and I would like to have a good sniper with me, in case,we see anything." Ventryx then clicked before Maddox could respond, "Take Regran. Keep low, and warn us if there's movement." Rorschach complied and led Regran to the vantage point. The point itself was nothing but a ledge sticking out of the canyon wall, but it was at an angle where those who climbed it were hidden from view, quite well. "So, how do we climb it, Rorschach," Regran asked when they reached the canyon wall. Rorschach purred, "I was thinking we could use those rocks there," he pointed to his left, "and then you could jump off, land on the ledge, and help me up." Regran nodded, "Sounds like a plan." They then carried out said plan and, after a few tries, they finally got it. Regran landed on the ledge and pulled Rorschach up. Now up on the ledge, Rorschach had a better view of the path to the Vex Tower. He had a gut feeling that this was the way the Winter attack force would come, and had a feeling they'd make a big show about it too. "So, now we wait?" Regran clicked. Rorschach nodded and so he sat back against the rock, waiting. "Still got Eeslanith's Shrapnel Launcher, Dreg?" "Huh?" Rorschach shook his head, "No, I placed it in his old room on the Ketch, a way to remember him." Regran squinted his beady eyes, "Want to earn one yourself?" The Dreg just nodded. "I'll prove myself somehow, I'll become something greater." he looked at his shadow as the sun got lower and lower, "I'm not going to die here." "I see, you have a passion, that is good. But don't get too cocky." Regran warned. Rorschach didn't reply, he had nothing else to say. He got tired as the sun went down and night began. Regran told him to sleep, and that if anything happened, he would wake him up. The Dreg, did his best to sleep but couldn't, he was anxious, the feeling in his gut got stronger. Regran stayed on watch for a while before anything happened, when suddenly, a distant [i]boom[/i], could be heard followed by the sound of something powering up. He woke Rorschach up, and zoomed in his scope on his Wire Rifle. "What is it?" The Dreg asked. "Pikes, they're on their way. Go, warn Maddox." The Vandal answered. "What about you?" "I'll be fine. Go!" Rorschach did as he was told and scrambled down from the ledge. He ran back towards the cave and told the others the news. Maddox was already on his feet. He pushed the Dreg out of the way and made his way towards the path, not taking any cover. It was silent as the Fallen waited for the force to come around the corner. Suddenly two Pikes appeared around the bend and came to a halt a few meters from Maddox, who stood on the path, unfazed. An adorned Winter Captain walked out from between them, followed by two Vandals. "Stop there, Nishum" Maddox growled, "take your soldiers, and leave." The Winter Captain made a laughing noise, "I would tell you the same, but instead, I offer you a deal. Swear allegiance to Kell Draksis, and your lives will be spared. Oh, and also, I believe [i]this[/i] is yours." He nodded to his Vandals, and they brought forth a beaten and bruised Regran. Rorschach looked in fear at Regran, [i]how did they get him?[/i] He watched as Maddox, spoke with the Winter Captain. "He is mine, yes, so why do you have him?" "Draksis has many eyes." The Captain responded. "We will give him to you, in return, you must bow to your new Kell, Draksis." Regran looked at Maddox and shook his head, he knew he was done for. Maddox, saw Regran, and back at the Captain, "Never." "So be it." Rorschach watched in horror as another one of his companions fell before him. He sprung into action, and leaped from his cover, shooting his Shock Pistol at the Winter Captain. Maddox played on his anger and signaled his own Vandals to attack, using the Dreg as bait. The Winter Captain shrank back behind the two Pikes, which roared to life and zoomed towards Maddox. The Ash Captain sidestepped the first one, and cut down it's pilot. He quickly spun and threw his Shock Blade with perfect accuracy, piercing the body of the second Pike's driver and moving forth with hatred upon the Winter Fallen. The ensuing firefight didn't last long as the Winter attack force was cut down, since they had no cover in the openness of the canyon. Rorschach was found beating the Winter Captain to a pulp in a fit of rage. Maddox pulled him off and threw him aside. He lifted up the Winter Ambassador by his neck and held his Blade to him, poised for the kill. The battered Captain spat at Maddox, "You fools, you think this will stop Draksis? Hah, Winter is coming, and you cannot hope to overpower our cold hunger." Maddox threw the Captain to the ground, "Then we will set your Kell on fire and and burn your Ketches out of the sky. You will feast on the ashes of your dead." With that, he plunged his Blade into the Captain, ending his life. Rorschach stared at Regran's dead body, a raging fire, fueled his anger. [i]I'm sorry, I shouldn't have left you[/i] Once again, he had let another teammate die. He watched as Maddox picked up the body and carried it off. Consumed by anger, he trudged to the Dead Winter Captain.He released all of his anger on the dead Fallen, leaving a mutilated, disfigured body in his wake. [b]That's Chapter 11 Guardians. I know, it wasn't exactly worth the wait, but the next few chapters will be, this one just had to be part of the setup. Thanks for waiting so long anyways. Chapter 12 is out.[/b] https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/144373063