Hello, everybody, here's part 48 of Into the Hellmouth! Here's[url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/211397584?showBanned=0&path=0] part 47 [/url]if you missed it, or, if you're looking for a different part, here's the[url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/209303839?showBanned=0&path=0] master post[/url]. As usual, if you like it, give it a bump, and I'll get more out soon! Stay classy Guardians! Sai slowed to a stop, panting. “I think we lost them,” she said. Eriana nodded, and also slowed. After they’d run from Crota, they’d run through a series of doorways, with Eriana and her ghost doing their best to ruin the controls and slow the advance of the army. Eriana’s ghost pulled up the map of the throne world that Toland had created for them. “It looks like we’re here,” it said, highlighting a portion of the map. “And according to Toland, we’re relatively close towards the realm of Crota’s Hand.” Eriana grimaced. “That’s blocking our way towards the exit,” she said. “See if you can track the hand.” “Done,” her ghost said. “I’ll relay the information to you.” “No,” she said. “Relay it on Sai’s HUD; I’m not half the tracker that she is.” Her ghost nodded. “Got it,” it said. Eriana nodded, and looked around. Every wall of gray, barren rock appeared the same. This was not how she’d imagined her final death. There was no final moment of glory on the battlefield, no honor in saving those she loved. No. She would die here as her light was slowly suffocated by the Darkness. They’d sacrificed so much to get here. . . and all for naught. “We’re the last,” she whispered. “What?” Sai asked. “Omar. Vell. Eris,” she said. “They’re all dead. Even Toland.” She sniffed. “I never thought that I’d actually miss the old bastard.” Sai seemed to pause. “Maybe not.” Eriana frowned. “What?” Sai seemed to fiddle with her hands. “Eris could’ve survived that blow,” she said, “and Omar might still be alive - somewhere.” Eriana sighed. “That’s wishful thinking, Sai,” she said. “They’re all dead.” “Maybe not!” Sai said. “You could try and scan for them with your ghost! I mean, what’ve we got to lose?” Eriana nodded. “What about your ghost?” she asked. “Is it -“ Sai held up the broken little sphere. It’s casing was charred and melted in places, and the blue eye flickered erratically. “i don’t know,” she said. “I think it’s still in there. I think - I hope -“ the hunter choked back a sob. Eriana nodded. Guardians were bound to their ghosts forever. Their ghosts were with them from the beginning of their second life all the way to it’s end. Though some Guardians took a more utilitarian view of their ghosts, most of them considered the tiny machines to be the closest thing they would ever have to family. “Maybe when we get back to the Tower, the Speaker can fix it,” she suggested. Sai looked up wearily. “I don’t think we’ll be coming back to the Tower, Eriana,” she said. Eriana started to protest, but closed her mouth. Then, she nodded. “Right then.” She closed her eyes. “Ghost?” The little orb popped up next to her. “You ready?” it asked. Eriana nodded. “Let’s do this,” she said. The orb expanded into communication mode, and Eriana used it as a signal booster, and attempted to look for the other Guardians. She winced as static erupted in her ear. “Well?” Sai asked. “Can you track the others?” Eriana sighed, and motioned for her ghost to stop. “No,” she said. “There is too much interference. The shroud is too thick here.” She shook her head. “Ghost?” “Yes,” the little orb said. “We in bad shape?” The ghost uttered a grim laugh. “Could be better,” it said. Eriana nodded. “Any charge? “No,” her ghost said. “Something is siphoning the Light. I’m getting weaker by the second.” Eriana nodded, and saw Sai desperately holding her ghost out in her hands. Eriana motioned towards it. “And Sai’s Ghost? Same? The ghost scanned it’s brethren for a moment. “Faint charge detected,” it said at last, “but it’s fading. Its shell is damaged beyond repair.” It seemed to look around the cavern. “No comms. No transmat. Even if there were a signal—“ Eriana nodded. “Use whatever juice you’ve got and relay this transmission to the others.” “They won't receive it,” her ghost replied. Eriana grimaced. “Not the point,” she said. Her ghost nodded with understanding, and went into comm mode again. Eriana took a deep breath. “This is Eriana-3 of the Praxic Warlocks,” she said, “Marked by the Cormorant Seal. I am alongside the Hunter Sai Mota. Our Light is nearly gone. The ash of untold Hive covers the ground in our wake.” A wizard’s screech echoed through the chambers. The two Guardians turned towards it. “Omnigul—“ Sai began. Eriana ignored her. “From what Toland has described we are on the path of Crota's dreaded Hand,” she said. Sai suddenly perked up as a blip moved on her HUD. “The Hand is falling back toward the screams beyond these tunnels,” she said. Eriana’s ghost dropped down into her head. A cursory glance confirmed that it was still alive, but for how long remained unclear. The warlock grimaced. “Screw it,” she said. “You ready?” The Hunter was silent for a moment. And then, she tucked her ghost into her armor. “My knives are eager for another dance,” she said. Eriana couldn’t help but grin. “You speak little, Sai Mota, but always say the right things,” she said. And with that, the Guardians bounded in the direction of the screams. Edit: [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/211763737]Part 49[/url]