[b][u]A Foul Match.[/u][/b] We begin in the Vanguard hall. Shaxx enters with Arcite 99-40 behind him. He looks to Zavala Shaxx: Zavala, we have a problem. Zavala: What kind of problem Shaxx: Someone killed a guardian in the crucible. This is the second match today. Zavala: What do you mean by “killed” Shaxx: Someone killed a guardian then destroyed their ghost. I don’t know who it was, but I will not have this in my games. Zavala: I see. I’ll give you one of my best titans. This must not continue Shaxx: Good, have him meet me by my desk in a few minutes. I’ve already made up a plan to capture this guardian. I’ll need someone good to be able to bring him in. Shaxx returned to his station and waited for a titan by the name of Malor, to arrive. The titan had a full set of Jovian Guard armor, clearly one of Zavala’s more esteemed Titans. Malor: Shaxx. Shaxx: I’ll fill you in. There’s a guardian that’s been killing other guardians in my games. I’ve restricted the games to four maps with the Redjacks standing ready to quarantine the area. Your task is to go in and bring me the head of this guardian. Am I clear. Malor: Yes sir. Shaxx: You’ll be hanging in low orbit around the midpoint between each arena. When I give the signal, you’ll move in. Malor: Right away sir. Malor went to orbit and awaited Shaxx’s call. Several matches went by before Shaxx spotted something suspicious on his monitors. He opened up a secure channel to Malor. Shaxx: Malor, Twilight Gap, hurry. Malor quickly flew over to the Gap. Malor: What happened? Shaxx: My monitors disconnected and the score count came to a dead stop. I’ve had my Redjacks cut off any transmat out of the arena. Bring him in. Malor landed in the arena to a horrifying sight. Both teams were killed, their ghost destroyed. It looked like a massacre. Malor: Shaxx, this is-...I’m feeding you telemetry. Shaxx: Traveler’s light. Malor: I count eleven dead. What did this? As Malor surveyed the bodies, a figure concealed in the shadows revealed itself. It was a guardian, but it wore all sorts of different class armors. A sort of dark, void-like crystal grew over it symmetrically. The guardian spoke with a voice that echoed in the open air. It spoke slowly with a sinister tone. This was a guardian. [i]Was[/i]. Umbra: Hello titan. I am Umbra. How do you fair this day? Malor was shocked but drew his weapon and locked eyes with the guardian. Malor: Did you do this? Umbra: Yes. Malor: Why?! Umbra: When we always play as the good guy, we have our fun. Eventually, however, it gets boring. I grew bored of it. I wondered, what if I played the bad guy. Now here we stand. Malor: You mean to tell me you did this out of BOREDOM!? Umbra: In a sense, yes. Shaxx [On the comm]: Malor, finished this. Umbra: My team certainly seemed surprised when I crushed our opponent’s ghost. The whole world paused to witness what I had done. Then they tried to do the same to me. A shame. Malor let loose a torrent of bullets on Umbra, effectively killing him. Malor: It’s done. Shaxx [on the comm]: Well done. Haul him back here. I’ll forward this to the vanguard. Malor turned to call down his ship. In those few moments something ripped his gun out of his hand and pinned him to the ground. Malor looked up to see Umbra alive and well. Umbra held Malor down with a single hand. Malor: How did- As Malor struggled, a ghost made of the same crystal from Umbra’s armor floated over Umbra’s shoulder. It’s eye glowed purple. Malor: How do you have a ghost? Dark guardians don’t have ghosts. Umbra: Understand this titan. The darkness is more that just a simple being of destruction. It is philosophy. My ghost favors the philosophy I have chosen, and so it has been gifted the abilities of the dark as well. Heed my words, once I’ve killed you, the tower will be next to fall. In the end, I will stand face to face with the traveler itself. That is the day I kill the light. Shaxx [On the comm]: Malor, I’m sending the Redjacks, hold on! Umbra: “He always survives”. Can you guess who is next, Malor? Umbra waited a few moments for an answer. He chuckled and drew his weapon. It too was made from the same crystal. It charged with a dark red light. Umbra: The old man will finally fall. The last of the first will finally perish. The weapon reached full charge and fired. Malor died and his ghost tried to run. Umbra’s ghost zapped Malor’s ghost, causing it to fall into Umbra’s hand. He held it close to his face and stared it in the eye Umbra: I know you’re not the only witness little ghost. Someone else watches me with your eye. I want you to know, you will perish as well. I am the end of the light. Fight as you will. Umbra crushed the ghost in his hand, causing Shaxx’s last feed to the arena to go dark. Back at the tower, Shaxx made haste for the vanguard hall. Shaxx: Zavala…Malor... Zavala: Shaxx, what’s wrong. Shaxx: He killed Malor. Zavala closed his eyes. He balled up his fists in anger. He pressed His fists into the table so hard that they made indents. After a moment he looked up. Zavala: What is his name. Shaxx: Umbra. Zavala: Does he have a face? Shaxx: I’ve sent a report to you all. Zavala turned on the table comm. Zavala: Guardians. I’m sending you all details on a rogue guardian. If you see this guardian, you are to execute on sight. This is a high priority target and very dangerous. Stay alert. Cayde-6: An execution order? Ikora: Read Shaxx’s report. He still has a ghost. Shaxx: He brought down two whole teams. I’d advise warning everyone not to go into the wilds alone. Cayde-6: Jeez. I’ll put my wolves on the hunt. Any leads? Shaxx: “He always survives”. That was his hint to his next target. Ikora: Riddles? I’ll pass this to Tyra Karn, maybe she’ll know something. Zavala: Malor was one of my best titans. A good friend. This “Umbra” Will have hell to pay with me. Until then, Shaxx, you may want to temporarily cancel the games. At least until we can find a way to filter him out. Shaxx: Right away. Shaxx returned to his post and canceled all the crucible matches. Guardians seemed to almost be flocking to the tower. Some were going to Banshee-44 for weapons and upgrades, preparing to hunt down the rouge. Others were going to the vanguard to get more information on the situation. The tower doubled up on frame guards in the tower as a security measure for the high guardian traffic. This, however, would not save Umbra’s next target. [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/218072480/0/0]Next part: The Ninth Falls.[/url] [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/217968013]To the collection:[/url]