[u]Chapter 5: My New World[/u] Part Two I came back up into the courtyard, the Sun sitting low in the horizon and the Traveler softly glowing in it's light. Guardian's still scurried around, transmating in and out constantly and talking to the Tower's vendors. "It's late, we'll stay here tonight," I told my Ghost, "Take me to the Speaker." Another waypoint appeared on my visor's screen, leading me towards the archway opposite of me that Sierra had entered earlier. I walked across the courtyard and passed through the arch, making my way through a hallway similar to that on the other side. It ended in stairs like the hangar entrance, but came out to a scene more like that of the courtyard. More civilians walked around here and it also had the ledges bearing plants, a small area set up with furniture lay to my left. I walked forward, feeling comfortable in the homely setting, and came around a corner to a big domed area. A large rotating machine occupied much of the space above me, displaying and moving around a holographic sphere in the middle. Large bowl-like stands were placed evenly around the room, displaying holographic images that appeared to be of the universe. "Welcome, Guardian," a low and calm voice called from my left. I turned and saw a man walking down a stairway that led to a platform that looked out over the room. He wore a white mask that completely covered his face and white and black robes that prevented any skin from being shown. Something about him felt warm and friendly, despite his secretive appearance, and I was at ease in his presence. "I'm glad to have you back from death's cold embrace," he said, placing a hand in my shoulder as he would to an old friend, "The Light will do great things with you." "Thank you, I'm happy to be here," I said as he removed his hand from my shoulder, "You're the Speaker?" "Yes, I speak for the Traveler," he replied, "I represent it when the City leaders make decisions, at least until the day it wakes." I willed my helmet to disappear and looked out to the Traveler, which could be seen through the open ended space we stood in, analyzing the damage on its lower portion with unaided eyes. "What exactly did that to it?" I asked. "When it confronted the Darkness with us, a force lashed out and crippled it, leaving the scars you see now. We don't know exactly what the Darkness attacked with in the Collapse, but it forced the Traveler into its deep slumber and pushed it to create Ghosts and Guardians. I could tell you many stories, of other battles fought throughout space, of the gifts the Traveler bestowed on humanity, but those are for a later time, when there is not Darkness massing around us." "I look forward to hearing those stories. I'll set out in the morning, I want to spend the night here." "Not a problem at all, we want you collected before returning to the field. I'll summon a Frame to take you to a room; most Guardians don't get a room even if they spend the night, so we have plenty of space for you." A Ghost appeared at his shoulder, and he looked to it, "Please call in a Frame for him." The Ghost moved in a nodding motion and disappeared. It appeared to be his Ghost, making him a Guardian as well. "How long have you been the Speaker?" I asked. "I'm the only Speaker there has ever been. I was elected soon after the City was built, after I helped lead the Guardians in the Faction Wars. The battlefield is no longer where I belong, fighting alongside my brothers and sisters of the Light, but I continue to wage wars from my desk," he answered, revealing to me that he was indeed a Guardian as he spoke in a reminiscent tone. A Frame walked up to my side as he finished, and it stood in wait patiently. "Your quarters are ready for you, Guardian," it said in a synthetic female voice once it was sure the Speaker had finished. "Go on now," the Speaker told me, "Rest well for the journey ahead." I nodded respectfully to the Speaker and began to follow the Frame away, but stopped and turned back after a few steps. "Speaker?" I asked, "How did you know I was a new Guardian when you saw me?" "I make sure to know every Guardian that enters the City, and I did not recognize you. And you were clearly sightseeing when you came in," he said in an amused tone. I smiled a bit at that and turned back to the Frame, once again following it. After a good walk we came to a stop in front of a closed door, which the Frame opened for me before walking away. I entered the room and closed the door behind me. It was quaint, only furnished with a chair and a bed. A window looked out to the Traveler and the bathroom was located to my right. That was when realization struck. "Ghost?" I asked. "Yes?" He said as he appeared beside me, also looking over the room. "How come I haven't become tired, hungry, or had to use the bathroom since you revived me?" "Your body doesn't perform functions normally, so you don't have to do any of that. You can eat, drink, or sleep if you want to, though. Other Guardians say it feels nice." "Huh, neat," I said as I walked to the bathroom and located the mirror above the sink. I looked at my reflection. My hair was dirty-blonde and long enough to fall over my left eye with the way I had it swept, my eyes were a blue-grey color, and my skin was very fair and freckled. My head started to pulse in light pain with a headache as I gazed at myself, feeling like I should know who I was. It grew worse quickly and a sudden drowsiness took hold of me as I struggled to remember anything about my past life. I walked back to the main room and sat on the bed, pressing my fingers against my temples for relief. "I thought you said I couldn't get tired," I said, stifling a yawn as my Ghost floated in after me. "You can't. Or you shouldn't be able to," he replied, scanning me and clearly fretting, "Lay down, get some rest, hopefully that'll work." I laid back and my armor disappeared, leaving me in some shorts and a shirt I assume my Ghost had found. My eyes dragged close and I felt the headache ebb away as sleep quickly took hold of me. * • • It was dark, and there was pain, but I knew it wasn't the same as before my Ghost brought me back. Flashes of light came, displaying images, but not blinding like the light that gave me life. I saw faces; faces I felt I should know but forgot as soon as they left my view again. There was a gun, my ears rang with the sound of it firing. The faces continued flashing by behind the image of the gun, and I could see blood dripping from whatever the bullets had hit. My vision went red and it all faded; the faces, the gun, the pain, and I knew that the blood was mine. But I knew I had been protecting the people that the faces belonged to, and warmth replaced the cold pain. A name resounded throughout my mind and echoed in it as I snapped up to a sitting position. My Ghost shot backwards to avoid my sudden movement and I breathed heavily as I sat there in a cold sweat. "Are you alright, Guardian?" He asked me, starting to scan me as he had been while I slept, "Your heart rate skyrocketed while you slept." "I'm okay," I said, my breathing returning to normal, "And my name isn't Guardian." "But what else can I call you if..." My Ghost trailed off, realizing what I meant. A smile crept onto my lips as I finally spoke the word that echoed through my mind, "You can call me William." __________________________________ Link to ToC:https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/212710816/0/0 Link to Chapter 5 Part 1:https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/211043791/0/0 Link to Chapter 6 Part 1:https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/211674139/0/0