--RUSSIA--COSMODROME--MAKE-SHIFT-SHELTER-- Two guardians and a loyal fallen huddled next to a blazing fire. The bright aura of the flame was reflected in the eyes of the mismatched fireteam as they too reflected upon their private thoughts. Variks the fallen, Variks the docked, composed his message to the rhythm of the crackling air. The sound the life giving fire made reminded Variks of another flame from long ago. A green flame, that of Oryx-once-Aurash. That flame had been a whirlwind. And that whirlwind had destroyed his friends, his books; made his Master flee from him, and had cost his people their dignity. Variks of Dreg-Strength had fled to Sol with little hope. He clung to the words of Rain, they sustained him. Where once was fear now is determination. For Variks the Loyal, the Kell, had found that which he could be loyal to: friendship and love. Captains can't understand it... Vandals suppress it... The Archon reserves it for the servitors alone... But those who've been docked know. The true strength of the Dreg is its faith, its hope, and its love. If misdirected it is a dreadful curse. Fikrul was cursed. But what if it were directed for the good? Variks would know the answer someday. *************************************************************************** Ringer-7 gratefully wrapped an old wretch's cloak about his shoulders, it was scratchy and rough but provided adequate warmth for the exo. Shadow's ghost and Stedi were involved in some great philosophical debate regarding Osiris. Shadow was preoccupied sharpening her knives, for the ichor of the slain are the only threat to a well forged blade. Variks hoisted himself off the ground using his mechanical upper arms. His four bright eyes fell on Ringer as he moved to exit their makeshift shelter. The Titan nodded as his eyes met the Eliksni's. Ringer proceeded to follow Variks outside, shrugging the fallen cloak off his broad shoulders as he stood. "So what is this all about Variks? You're a Kell and a Scribe yet you act like neither." Variks inhaled deeply from his breather, sucking in the sweet, potent ether. "I have studied your people. Many houses, many customs. Humans," Variks contemplated. " No different than Eliksni. Tried to solve problems alone. Results in death. Always in death. Then Great Machine arrives, yes? Saves poor infants from themselves, stops collapse... " "Yes?" Ringer sat on the hood of an old rusted pick-up truck as he listened. " So where's the difference between us? " "Your faith hasn't betrayed you, not yet. Tra-vel-er is good, but tradition is better. Great Machine lifted the Eliksni up but it is not our only strength. Not your only strength." " I fight for my people first, then for the Traveler. That's what being a Titan, a Guardian, means to me. Is that your point? Fight for Humanity before the Traveler? " Variks' metal arms creaked in the driving snow. He clutched his staff tightly, using it to withstand the elements. Almost imperceptibly, he nodded to the guardian's statement. "You make good scribe, one day we sit in your city and talk about...pleasant things. " Variks looked back into their shelter at the two ghosts and his Shadow. "Now we must talk hunting, yes? You have been out of hunt too long." The two took a walk together over the Russian wasteland. This corner of Russia had been pretty quiet of late, the events of the SIVA crisis had driven out what remained of the tattered House of Devils. "Reminds me of old times," Ringer said to his companion. "Before the Red Legion, before Uldren." " Their are always older times. Always those who end good ones. Like Oryx, like Skolas. " Ringer caught the hint of emotion in the Kell's voice. "Is that why I'm here then? To stop another another Skolas. To stop the Fall? " The blizzard raged around the two figures, swirling hatefully at the Kell's resistance and the Titan's fortitude. They halted their walk at the same moment in time as they came over a ridge. Below lay the armaments of the old Houses. Wire Rifles, Walkers, Shanks... Banners. All abandoned, all forsaken in the snow. Variks turned to face Ringer. "His name is Thelksis, last Devil in Sol. Devils aren't allowed in Sols. He will test you, he will say he is great one, he will not stop even for death... He will kill you, kill him back!" /Dive Into The Trenches?/ https://www.bungie.net/en/Groups/Post?groupId=3422633&postId=249426639&sort=0&page=0