Greetings, Guardians, and here's part seventeen of Doom of the Dragons! Here's[url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/240276175?page=0&sort=0&showBanned=0&path=1] part sixteen [/url]if you missed it! As usual, if you like it, give it a bump, and I'll get more out soon! Stay classy, Guardians! The boy’s name was Terrence. He said that he came from a small village, about two miles to the north - likely the source of the energy flux. He’d been out hunting for deer when he’d spotted the three Guardians, and had tried to drive them off. It took her a while, but Marcella was able to convince him to take them back to his village. So, the boy led them through the barren landscape, walking the still functioning motorcycle in front of them. Eventually, the three Guardians came to a small valley, its sides littered with fallen rocks. Scraggly pine trees stood along the top. “It’s just through here,” Terrence said. He motioned for them to come forwards, and walked through the valley. “I don’t like this,” Cupun grumbled. Marcella looked at him. It was the first thing he’d since the firefight with Terrence. “Pardon?” “This valley,” Cupun said. “Plenty of hiding places, no cover in the center. Perfect place for someone to set up an ambush.” “He’s not the Fallen,” Kim said. “He’s just a kid whose village could do with a little Guardian firepower.” Cupun growled, but stopped talking. The three Guardians followed Terrence into the valley. When they were about halfway through, Marcella heard the sound of rocks falling. She looked to her left, and sure enough, several small rocks were tumbling down the valley side. She was just about to disregard it, when she saw a dark form dash behind a nearby rock. “Huh?” Marcella squinted, trying to make out the figure. But whatever it was, it was now long gone. Rrrrrrr! Rrrrrr! Marcella turned forwards, and saw Terrence jumping on his motorcycle. He brought the engine to life, and sped off. “Hey!” Kim shouted. Suddenly, about twenty men and women with weapons dashed out from behind their hiding places from the valley sides. “Drop your weapons!” one of the men barked. Marcella raised her hand cannon. “You first!” she shouted. Cupun glanced at her, his pulse rifle pointed at one of the bandits. “Told you,” he said. Marcella ignored him. “What do you want?” she aasked. The man who’d spoken first looked down at her. His face was hidden behind a pair of googles, a hood, and a brown muffler. In his hands, he held an auto-rifle, pointed square at her face. “Right now?” the man asked. “For you to do what I ask, and put your damn guns down! Do it now, and we’ll let you live!” Marcella grimaced. “We don’t want to hurt you,” she said. “We’re here to help!” “How’s that?” the man asked. “We’re from a place called the City,” Marcella said. “We’re Guardians.” That got the attention of the combatants. They all glanced at one another, and some began muttering amongst themselves. The man looked down at her. “That’s a nice claim to make,” he said. “Shame that you can’t prove it.” “Where does he think we got this armor from?” Kim whispered. Marcella licked her lips. Suddenly, she had an idea. She looked at Cupun. “Whatever you do,” she said, “don’t fire.” Then, she looked back at the man. “Actually, I can.” Cupun looked rather. “What are you doing?” “How?” the man asked. “What do you know about Guardians?” Marcella asked. The man paused. “Don’t listen to her!” one of the women shouted. “The City’s just a fairy-tale!” “That they’re powerful,” the man said. “Great warriors who also happen to be immortal.” He raised his gun. “How about we test that out?” Marcella closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. “Get ready, ghost,” she whispered. This is not going to be pleasant. She quickly took off her helmet, and let it fall to the ground. She looked up at the man. “Let’s,” she said. Then, she positioned the barrel of her hadn't cannon against the side of her skull, and fired. * * * Marcella opened her eyes. Her ears were ringing and her head hurt, but she was alive. Her ghost had resurrected her. Groaning, Marcella picked herself up off the ground. She stood up, and looked at the man. “How’s that for proof?” She looked to her right, and saw her ghost floating next to her. “Thanks,” she said. “No problem,” the little orb chirped. The man stood at her, frozen in shock. Many of the other combatants were similarly affected. Several of them had even dropped their weapons out of sheer surprise, but they quickly recovered their wits. “It’s a trick!” one of the women shouted. “They’ll kill us all!” She pointed her weapon at the three Guardians, her blue eyes full of fear. The man was silent for a moment more. “If that’s a trick,” he said at last, “it’s the best damn one I’ve ever seen.” The man pulled off his hood, raised his googles, and pulled his muffler down to his neck. This revealed an old Awoken man, with snow-white hair, pale blue skin, and ice-blue eyes. He walked down to the valley floor, and stared at the three Guardians. “So,” he said. “You’re really Guardians.” Marcella allowed herself a brief smile. “In the flesh,” she said. “And the shell,” her ghost quipped. The man looked at the ghost. “What the hell is that?” “That’s my ghost,” Marcella said. “Your - your ghost?” the man said. He was obviously very confused. Marcella sighed. “It’s a long story,” she said. “Listen. We need to talk.” The man nodded. “We can do that back at the village,” he said. “Magnus!” the woman shouted. “You can’t possibly -“ “I can and I will, Yvette!” the man snapped. “Go on ahead. Tell Mateo that we’re expecting company.” The woman hissed, but relented. She walked down the valley slope, and began walking down the gravel path. The man turned back to them. “What’s your name?” he asked. “Marcella,” Marcella replied.She reached out, and shook hands with the man. She indicated towards the two Guardians behind her. “This is Cupun and Kim.” “Pleasure to meet you,” Kim replied. He shook the man’s hand. Cupun made no such gesture. “I’m Magnus,” the man replied. “It’s good to meet you, Guardian.” [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Groups/Post?groupId=1371758&postId=240824332&sort=0&page=0]Part Eighteen: Erindale[/url]