Note from the author: “Thank you for taking the time to read my short story! I wrote it as a sort of commemoration for me finally obtaining the bow i’ve been after. Feel free to leave a comment or two, I’m a sucker for feedback. Hope you enjoy.” Johnathen stands looking over a sleeping city. He watches lights burning out and flickering back on, and he sympathizes with their sleeplessness. The Warlock treads his hands across his bows grip as if having an unspoken conversation. He believes no arrow of his can be drawn quick enough to prevent the catastrophic events to come. Thoughts of his fallen comrades fill the crevices of his now closed eyes. Too many had followed him into hellfire, too little had come out unscathed. “You doin’ okay?” An elegant voice cut through the white noise of The Last City. Rin appears from the hangar hallways like a shadow breaking away from its collective. Her white hair glistening in the moonlight reminded Johnathen of Mara Sovs, and he often reminded her of that. “What is it, Rin?” His voice is slightly annoyed. The Warlock takes note of his tone, and turns around to meet her gaze. His body language is apologetic. “I know that look.” “My helmets on.” “You know what I mean..” She walks over to the railing next to him and peers out onto the city. Rin rolls her eyes and leans with her back on the rail. Her eyes fixate on the Warlocks white armor, she notices the bloodstains that liter the bottom lining of his robes. A ships wail can be heard overhead, she waits until it passes to speak. “You know i’ll never stop fighting as long you’re still breathing.” Johnathen turns back to the city. Her words seemed to echo out into nothing. “That’s what Elizabeth thought, amongst so many others. It doesn’t seem like we really get to choose. We are Kings and Rooks alike on their chess board, they can wipe it and play again as much as they see fit.” “If we are simply pieces in a game may we be the first to be autonomous?” The Hunter waits for a response, only to be disappointed. She hesitates, and chooses her next words wisely. She longs to see the Warlock happy and since the death of the Hunter Vanguard Cayde and his former Titan fireteam member Elizabeth, his expression has turned quite sorrowful. Her voice shakes as she utters, “I have to ask you something.” The Warlock turns to face the Hunter, who has now left the railing, creating a small distance between them. Another ship passes by, this time so close to the tower it shakes the ground beneath their feet. Neither flinch. “I have fought beside you, studied under you, for many years now. I have watched your love for humanity, and your tolerance for the darkness with a curiosity that I can’t explain. I have watched your arrows rip through those who deem to harm us, and your light shine on those who’ve lived without.” “None of my arrows have prevented any of the catastrophes of mankind. The Speakers death, Caydes Death, Elizabeth’s.. should I go on?” The Huntress raises her hand for silence. “I have followed you to the coldest hearts of space, and your presence alone has kept me warm.” “Rin..” Rin’s ghost appears and gives her a nod before revealing a beautifully long bow. It’s length was just as long as she was, if not longer, and was engraved with beautiful artwork. An energy emitted from this bow that resonated with Johnathen, as if it had seen as much as he has. “I’ve never done this before. I’m actually quite nervous.” She holds the bow outstretched, beckoning for him to grab it. Johnathen hesitates and then grabs the opposite side of the bow. Neither let go. “Marry me, Johnathen?” The Warlocks attention shifted from the bow to her deep, glowing eyes. “Me? Are you sure?” A smile cracks through her face. She scoffs lightly. “It’s name is Wish-Ender. It’s draw is quick and produces very little sound.” “Rin, I-“ “I don’t really like rings, it seems like an outdated sort of gesture. But this was very difficult to acquire and I felt it would carry the same meaning to you. With it no enemy can hide from you, no enemy will hear you coming.” The Warlock removes his helmet. His Ghost, Castiel, emerged on his own and began fluttering about gleefully. He seemed to answer for his Guardian. “Thank you, Rin. I- I don’t know what to say.” She grasps his face lightly. “Say yes..” The Warlock smiles for the first time in ages. His Ghost nudges him. “Yes.”