[u]Chapter Ten: Class Rank[/u] Part Seven My limp was already less severe by the time we reached the Tower, but I still felt pretty awful. Sierra had just gone off to find something else to do since I had elected myself to report to the Vanguard, and we didn't get any answers from Crag as to what he would do next, so we just let him stand quietly besides us. As we watched Sierra leave, the sound of Crag softly clearing his throat made me turn towards him. He muttered something incomprehensibly and I leaned in a bit to here better. "What was that?" I inquired. He sighed and spoke up a bit. "You and Sierra did good," he said, surprising me by stretching out his hand, "It wasn't half bad working with you." I took his hand and shook it. "And it was a pleasure working with you," I replied. "If you ever need a hand, your Ghost can give me a call and I'll see what I can do," Crag said a little awkwardly. He really wasn't used to being nice. "Will do. If we ever need someone sensible to help us simpletons I'll give you a call," I laughed, hoping that my joke wasn't wasted on him. He gave a small grunt, but it sounded slightly amused. Success! He did have a sense of humor! "Until next time, Crag," I said, giving a wave as I began walking away. "Thanks for helping me settle that score," he responded, "And make sure you get a grip on that power of yours." I looked back at that, but he had already started walking away, becoming a shadowy form. Of course he had realized what had happened. My report to the Vanguard was put simply and made less dire than it really had been. The Vanguard was surprised by the defeat of a Walker and a Baron though, so they found it obvious that I was holding back on some details. I managed to get off with them thinking we had all worked together to defeat the Baron, though. What really caught their attention was when I told them of my new abilities. "Welcome to the Titan order, William," Zavala congratulated me, "The Defenders will be happy to have you." Ikora seemed rather disappointed to not have me as a Warlock, but she still gave me an accepting nod for finding my place. Cayde was less secretive about his disappointment. "Now what'd you go and do that for?" Cayde asked me, jokingly upset, "You could've been one of the best around." "Etiquette, Cayde," Zavala said sternly. "Congratulations William, you're gonna be a great Titan," Cayde sighed with exasperation, then whispered to me, "Good luck with big blue over here." "Thank you," I said to all of them, leaving them to their work. They seemed to assume my sore body was from getting used to using my Light. * • • Two days had passed since the event. I had tried sleeping to help my body recuperate faster, but the nightmares made resting impossible. One was particularly disturbing, and showed me the deaths of several people in a realm shrouded in darkness; a realm controlled by a beast that I knew had slain thousands. But on this second day I felt almost back to my normal, energetic self. I had been exploring the Tower more and getting to know my fellow Titans and what activities they usually performed daily. Most that I met had accepted me in happily, although they only seemed to believe I was a Titan because of the armor Zavala had given me. Today I found the weight room; it was open to all but was almost exclusively used by Titans. Unfortunately, when I entered I was instantly spotted by a Titan that had been mocking my small size since the day before. He proceeded to point me out to his groupies and laugh at his own jokes about me. But I didn't let him sour my mood and continued about my business, looking for a good place to start reconditioning myself. When I got around the bench presses, though, I saw that the Titan had gotten his friends to move over with him to intercept me. I also spotted a couple of Warlocks who had noticed the group and moved in to observe. They were probably just here to insult some people's intelligence. It was terribly disappointing that some of those who were chosen to be revived weren't very nice people. "Hey squirt," the lead Titan called as I came near, "Did you loose your ten pound dumbbells?" "I don't own any dumbbells," I replied flatly. He looked a little confused by my response, but then smirked and opened his mouth to talk again. "Before you say "that's because you're too weak to lift weights", why don't you tell me your name?" I interjected. He scowled, showing me that I had guessed his next line correctly. "It's Bruno, and you better watch your mouth around me, squirt." "And I'm William, not squirt, so watch your mouth, bruiser," I countered. Bruno made his helmet disappear at that so he could look me straight in the eye. It revealed his dark black hair and eyes with matching dark skin, and also let me see his teeth grinding together. "I'm not gonna be smart-mouthed by a shrimpy newbie Titan, so learn some manners," he growled, then threw a punch at my stomach. I caught the punch easily and pushed his arm away. Honestly, I hated acting like this to people, but I knew it was the only way to get my point through to the rougher Titans. Bruno looked like he was about to take another swing at me, but then the heavy clank of a bar being racked up on a bench press sounded and gave him a better idea. He looked over to to the origin of the noise and I followed his gaze. Just getting up from the bench was a Titan that looked more like a bear than a man, easily taller and broader than everyone else in the room. With a wicked smile forming on his face, Bruno walked over with me close behind. _______________________________ Link to Chpt 10 Pt 6:https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/217496433/0/0 Link to Chpt 10 Pt 8:https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/217498480/0/0 Link to ToC:https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/212710816/0/0