It took forever but I’m back in college so that means I have more time to devote to writing! :D (Please forgive me for the wait ;-;) Anyway, hope you enjoy!~ [-----In The Tower-----] Markus dropped to the floor by Helios and exclaimed “Helios! Helios!” Elly placed a hand on Markus’ shoulder. “One, don’t treat him like you treat children. Shaking still won’t help. Two, he seems to be breathing so we know he’s still alive.” “You’re right.” Markus replied. He picked Helios up and carried him over to the couch. “Elly could you get a glass of water?” “Yeah.” Markus kneeled down so he could stare at Helios. He whispered “You doin alright buddy? You aren’t putting on a power front right now. Heck, I think I’m the stronger one now.” “Y-you wish…” Helios grunted out. Elly walked out with the glass of water. “Did he just talk?” “Of course he talked.” Markus said with a chuckle. “If there is anything Helios can reliably do, it’s to never let me win.” Helios suddenly leaped up with a loud grunt and began to spew fire around the room. “WOAH WOAH WOAH.” Markus screamed as he barely dodged a face full of fire. Elly grabbed Helios’ arms and softly shushed him. “Relax. You’re alright now. Me and Markus are here. You’re safe.” Helios began to calm and slow his breath. “Where is he?!” “Where is who?” Markus asked. “We’re the only ones in the room.” Helios blinked his eyes and looked around the room. “No-one I guess…” Elly gave a puzzled look. “What happened to you anyway?” “I do not know if it was real or not, but I thought I saw a figure in the room. A shadowy figure. He touched my…” Helios looked at his palm and remembered the instructions not to tell of his mark. “My, arm… and from there it was a blur. I just remember everything being so warm.” “Looks like the carpet felt the same way.” Markus snickered. Helios looked over at the area of the carpet that had been charred over from where he laid. “Di-did I do that?” “Unfortunately yes.” Elly replied. “Maybe we should see if the Vanguard knows what’s happening?” Markus suggested. “That is a good idea Markus.” Helios said. Markus’ eyes widened. “You heard that right Elly?! He acknowledged my good idea!” “Grab an arm Markus.” Elly said rolling her eyes. [--At The Vanguard Hall----] “So whaddya think doc?” Markus said with a grin. Ikora gave Markus a stern look and replied “I honestly have no idea what would’ve caused Helios to flare up as he did. There’s really only one theory that I can currently present to answer this.” “And that would be?” Elly asked. Ikora gave Zavala a look. Zavala took a deep breath and gently replied “It could have something to do with Helios’ heritage. Back when he was raised by Fallen.” Markus and Elly gave each other a confused look. “Raised by Fallen?” Elly said. “Yes by Fallen. Before he met with Markus.” Zavala replied. “Markus did you know about this?” Elly asked. “I honestly had no idea. I never really asked about his past.” Markus answered. “At any rate,” Ikora interjected, “A Fallen threat regardless of assessment is not something the Vanguard can ignore. Seeing as Helios is rather unstable, it would be best if we destroyed the physical form and took the ghost for analysis.” Markus looked Ikora dead in her pupils. “So you’re going to-“ “Yes, we’re going to kill him.” Zavala said coldly. “You know I’m not about to let you just kill a person right?” Markus said quietly. “This is a Vanguard order Guardian. You will not interfere.” Zavala stated. “Elly, grab Helios, get back to the room. Grab our stuff, and have Gharr pull our ships around. I’ll be there in a minute.” Markus said in a deep and serious tone. Elly paused. “Markus you can’t-“ “NOW!” Markus shouted. Elly looked at Markus and the Vanguard, then ran over to Helios’ body and began to pick it up. “You put him down Guard-“ Before Zavala could finish him statement, Markus delivered a swift punch to his gut. Zavala coughed and fell to one knee. “Guardian stand down!” Ikora said in a commanding voice. Markus grinned widely. “I’ll stand down when they’re safe.” Elly picked up Helios and ran back to their living quarters. Ikora and Markus watched Elly and Helios leave. “What now Guardian?” Ikora said sternly, summoning a firebolt to her hand. Markus continued to grin and then started laughing. “Now I run!” Markus activated his Stormtrance and blinked out of the hall. Ikora angrily screamed and summoned her ghost. “Ghost, message Cayde. Tell him to get me in contact with Sahdir Aldmun.” Zavala stood up holding his stomach. “What do we do about those three then?” “Now, we call out a bounty on them.” Ikora angrily replied. “As of this moment, Elizabeth Alexandric, Markus Tintreach, and Helios Brennen, are all to be considered treasonists and traitors to the Vanguard.” [---To Be Continued-------------] Thank you all for reading and I hope you enjoyed. Follow #Darklit to keep up with the series and I hope I can see you again next time!