Here is Part 12 of Into the Hellmouth! Here's part 11 if you didn't see it: https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/199878945 As usual, if you like it, give it a bump, tell me what you think, and I'll have more out for you soon! :D Toland’s angry frown turned into a wry smile. “My reputation proceeds me,” he said. “Now, what are you doing in my humble domain?” Eriana opened her mouth, but Toland interrupted. “Speak up, now,” he said, “I’d hate to kill another Guardian - especially a Warlock. Oh, and please take off your helmet. I find the glare rather distracting.” Eriana nodded, and removed her helm, holding it by her hip. “I was looking for you, actually,” she said. Toland raised an eyebrow. “Were you?” he said. “Did the Tower revoke my banishment?” Eriana inhaled. “Well, no,” she said. “There are only five people who know I’m here right now - and only one of them has any standing with the Vanguard.” Toland’s eyes widened in recognition. “Ah,” he said. “You’re Hidden, then.” Eriana’s eyes widened. Toland chuckled. “What, you think I don’t know about Ikora’s little cult?” he asked. “I know everything, my dear warlock.” He cocked his head to one side. “Now. You’ve obviously come here for information. I am willing to supply it. So, ask your question.” Eriana eyed the ball of void light in the warlock’s hand. “Would you mind putting that away first?” she asked. “Hm?” Toland looked down at the void light as if noticing it for the first time. “Oh, yes, that!” He closed his palm, and extinguished the orb. Then, he sat down in a nearby chair, and stared at Eriana, a grim smile on his face. “Well then,” he said, “ask away! Oh, but, what did you say your name was, my dear warlock?” Eriana took a deep breath. “Eriana-3, of the Praxic Fire,” she replied. Toland looked thoughtful. “Eriana-3,” he muttered, “where have I heard that name?” he scratched his chin. Then, he snapped his fingers. “You’re that warlock Wei-Ning saved!” he said. Eriana blinked. “You know about me?” she asked. “You know about Wei-Ning?” “What did I tell you, my dear warlock?” Toland replied, the grin returning to his face. “I know everything. How is Wei, actually? I’ve heard rumors, and I’d like to know -“ “He’s dead,” Eriana interrupted. Toland blinked. For the first time since she’d arrived, he actually seemed to be caught off guard. “Dead?” he whispered. Eriana nodded. Toland regained his composure. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t know Wei personally, but from what I’ve heard, he was an excellent soldier, and a good man to boot.” Eriana nodded. “He was,” she said. “In fact, he’s part of the reason I’m here.” Toland arched an eyebrow. “Really?” he asked. Eriana locked eyes with the madman. “Are you aware of our Invasion of the Moon?” Toland snorted. “You mean the Tower was foolish enough to go along with that suicide mission?” he asked. “It’s what killed Ning,” she replied. Toland sighed, and looked down at his feet. “That would’ve done it,” he said. “That would’ve done it indeed. Facing the Hive on their main base? Who wouldn’t have failed?” Eriana frowned. “He was killed by a knight,” he said, “a strange knight. He glowed green, and was wreathed in flames.” Toland froze. Then, he looked back up at Eriana. The old man suddenly looked scared. “This knight,” he whispered, “he carried his sword, didn’t he? A blade that drained whatever light it touched?” Eriana blinked. “You know of it?” she said. Toland jumped up, and grabbed her by the shoulders. “His name!” he said. “Do you know his name?” Eriana frowned. “What are you -“ she began. “His name!” Toland shouted, shaking her. His eyes were wild with fear. “Did you hear his name!!!!” Eriana remembered. Remembered her interaction with the beast. The thought. . . the word. . . The name. “Crota,” she said. “His name was Crota.” Toland stopped shaking her. His face went slack. Then, he let go of Eriana’s shoulders, and sat back down. “So that’s it,” he whispered. “What’s it?” Eriana asked. The old warlock looked up at her, sadness enveloping his face. “We’re doomed, my dear warlock,” he said, “we’re all doomed.” “What do you mean, ‘we’re doomed?’” Eriana asked. “If Crota has chosen to risk himself on the field of battle, then he is ready to take on the Tower,” Toland said. “And if he comes to Earth, then. . .” he shook his head. “Then what?” Eriana asked. Toland looked up at her. “Then the last vestiges of the Light will die,” he said. He stood up, and walked over to a nearby window, where a small ray of light beamed into the dark room. “The last Queen’s rule will be absolute. Unending. Unchanging. Unforgiving.” “What do you mean, ‘the last Queen!’” Eriana shouted. “Start making sense, damn you!” Toland remained passive. “Destiny is upon us, my dear Warlock,” he said. “And only a fool swims against the tide.” “What do you suggest?” Eriana shouted, walking up to him. “That we let the tide drag us out to sea?” “Is there another option?” Toland asked. “You cannot fight the will of fate.” “But you can at least try!” Eriana said. Toland was silent for a moment. “If I recall correctly, Wei-Ning tried that,” he said. “And look how well it worked out for him.” Eriana stood still for a moment. Her fists shook with anger. Then, she grabbed Toland, and slammed him against the wall. “Listen to me, you madman!” she shouted. “Wei-Ning may be dead, but at least he tried! At least he attempted to fight the tide! And when he tried, he brought Crota to his knees! At least he didn’t hide, decay, in a building in Old Russia!” She pushed Toland against the wall, and stood back, breathing heavily. She met the deranged Warlock’s gaze. “I am here because of Wei-Ning. Because he thought you could help us! Because he thought you had some sort of knowledge that could defeat the Hive! Because if I hadn’t been so stubborn and agreed to help him, then he might still be alive! So when you tell me that you can’t turn back the tide, I say that we deserve to be swept away if we don’t even try!” Toland stared at her in silence. “Well?” she said. “What are you staring at?” After a long moment, Toland spoke. “You said he made Crota kneel,” he said. “Yes!” Eriana shouted. Slowly, Toland walked over to another room. Eriana followed him. She watched as the grizzled warlock opened up a drawer, and from it, produced a strange, green, glowing orb. In the center of it was a dark rock, which seemed to be suspended in some sort of fluid. But the thing that struck Eriana as the most odd about it was the fact that Toland never actually touched the orb - rather, it floated, an inch or so away from his hands. “What is that?” she asked. Toland closed his eyes, and bowed his head. “What are you doing?” she said. The Warlock did not acknowledge her. Instead, he simply kept his head bowed, green orb in hand. Then, green flames began to dance on the surface of the orb, and the rock began to spin on the inside. Eriana stepped back in surprise. “Ghost?” she said. “What’s happening?” “I’m not sure,” it said. The ghost floated over to Toland, and began to scan the orb. Then, it jumped back as a flash of electricity crackled around it. “What happened?” she asked. Another ghost popped up next to Toland. It flew in front of Eriana’s ghost, staring it in the eye. “I don’t think Toland’s ghost likes us very much,” said Eriana’s ghost. Eriana looked nervously at the orb. The stone inside began to spin faster and faster - and then stopped. The flames died. Toland took a deep breath. Then, he lifted his head up, and opened his eyes. For a moment, he simply stared at Eriana. Then, he smiled. The crazed warlock chuckled, and then threw back his head and laughed. At first, Eriana was stunned by this sudden transition. Then, she was angry. “What’s so funny?” she asked. Toland’s laughter continued, filling the decrepit building. Eriana grabbed his shoulders. “What is it!” she shouted. “What did you just do!” Toland looked at her, his laughter abating to a wheeze. But he still smiled. “My dear Warlock,” he said, “it appears as though one can swim against the tide after all.” Eriana frowned. “What do you mean?” she asked. “What the Hell is that - that -“ she looked down the green orb - “thing!” Toland yanked himself away from her, and threw the ball into a nearby container. “Give me a moment to pack my things,” he said. “For what?” Eriana asked. “Why, for our journey to the Tower!” Toland said. He grabbed more things from the room - data cubes, holograms, papers, and even some weapons. “You want your revenge, don’t you? Well, I’m going to help you get it!” Eriana frowned. “Well, you can’t just come in on my ship,” she said, “some of the older guardians may recognize you.” Toland grinned. “You were smart enough to find me,” he said, “I’m certain that you’re smart enough to sneak me in.” Edit: Part 13 is up!!! https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/201111733