[b][u]Episode 5: When the smoke clears...[/u][/b] Toland chased a fleeing Moluk through the tunnels, occasionally stopping to wipe out the mobs of enemies chasing him. The witch had put up an amazing fight so far, blocking most of his attacks and retaliating with a few of her own, but even she seemed to be giving up. The chase lead Toland back into the cavern, where the fighting was starting to die down, with only Nycor and a few hive Knights remaining in the fight. Moluk turned to face Toland. "Give it up Shattered one! I haven't used every weapon in my arsenal!" she let out a resonating wail, causing Toland and his friends to stagger. "The Deathsinger's song?" he gasped. "I have spent years learning it!" Moluk's voice resonated in Toland's mind. "It will be your doom." Her dress burst into green flames as the Liturgy began, causing Kabr, Dredgen and Cayde to fall to their knees in agony. Toland wouldn't fall though, he took step after weighted step, but finally fell to his knees at Moluk's feet. "Yes, bow to me Toland, and die... knowing you have failed..." her wailing continued. "I haven't failed," Toland looked up at Moluk, a Nova Bomb forming in his hands. "I just needed a clear shot!" Moluk screamed in anguish as the Nova bomb disintegrated her, the Liturgy preventing her from moving away. ______________________________________ Nycor roared, enraged at the death of his creator, took a menacing step toward Toland, and was met with Kabr's fist, knocking him off balance. Kabr, taking advantage, tackled Nycor, sending them both tumbling into the corridor. Dredgen walked up to Toland, who was staring at Moluk's ashes. "What a ghastly creature." he remarked. Toland nodded, then turned to Cayde, who was looking in the molten pit. "What are we going to do with that Knight she was summoning? If it really is Crota's brother, we don't have the firepower to deal with him here." he shouted. Cayde shook his head, and hollered back "Then we have a big problem! Looks like Moluk's plan succeeded to some degree," he motioned to the pit, which was empty. Toland swore. "Look I can't help anymore, as much as this is top priority, keeping your existence quiet also takes some precidence, they're gonna ask why i've been gone so long." Cayde reluctantly muttered something to himself. "Look, i'll send in a Raid team to deal with Urrox, i'll contact you when it's been dealt with." Toland nodded. "It's been an honour fighting with you Cayde." the Hunter Vanguard saluted. "Likewise, Toland. I honestly could care less about what you did in your past life, all of you, as long as you're on our side." and with that he was gone. Dredgen turned to Toland, "I'd hate to add on to our troubles, but we haven't found our mysterious traitor." Toland's eyes flashed. "I have an idea!" he began gathering Moluk's ashes. "What's the point of this?" Dredgen asked. "Moluk and I are connected through the void, I am going to try and see if I can break the barriers of death to talk to her!" Dredgen shrugged, "I don't even want to know how you're doing this." Toland whispered a quick chant, and an etheral projection of Moluk rose from the ashes. "Moluk, who was the human you were meeting?" Moluk's spirit spoke in a monotone voice. "A representative of an organization, he never revealed his face, or even his emotions." Dredgen threw up his hands, muttering about "chasing shadows." Toland hushed him. "What organization?" he pressed her. "He bore the mark of the Trinary Star on his cloak, I assume that answers your question?" Toland nodded, his face pale. "The Trinary Star?" Dredgen asked. "A hidden cult who curses the Traveler's Light, if they are working with the Hive? We are all in danger, I need to contact the Speaker-" "But it won't matter..." Moluk interjected, her trance seemingly broken, causing Toland to jump. "Why?" Toland asked, motioning for Dredgen to back up as he raised Bad Juju. "Because Kabr must have defeated Nycor, who will be reborn into Gulrot!" she cackled, "Goodbye sorcerer!" A sudden crack caused Toland and Dredgen to turn around, watching Kabr throttle through the wall. Dredgen yelled and began firing Thorn at the foul Ogre, who began backing away, roaring from the poison. Toland checked Kabr's vitals, "He's not doing so good!" "Can we save him?" Dredgen asked, scanning for any other enemies. "We don't have any Ghosts!" _______________________________________ Three years earlier... "Kabr?" Kabr turned to face his friend, Pahanin. "Osiris and Praedyth are scouting ahead, you ready to go?" Kabr the Legionless looked up at the humongous bronze gates of the Vault of Glass. "I am" Pahanin grimaced, "I was talking to Wei Ning earlier, what about the darkness itself? What then? And she said-" "I'll punch it to," Wei Ning walked up beside the two, ready for combat. "This will be a tale to remember," Pahanin remarked. Kabr nodded, and the three moved off to their mission. _______________________________________ End of Book 2 Book 3: http://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/123019407/0/0 Table of Contents: https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/114713352/0/0