The Outcast Guardian - Chapter 4: Breaking the News

Wraith surveyed his new home. He was in an ancient section of the Wall, and his Ghost was positive that no living being had seen it since the place was constructed. The Titan felt that qualified it as a suitable hiding space. He was close enough to the Plaguelands that he could hide from most scanners, but far enough that the Devil Splicers would hopefully leave him alone. Maybe, just maybe, he could spend a few days without a firefight. He sat down, closed his eyes, and tallied up what he'd lost in his move to this new hideout. He lost most of his weapons as well as a computer console he'd managed to scavenge from one of the rusted derelict ships dotting the coast. The guns he could replace. The computer, not so much. That device was his way of staying connected to the City. Without it, the difficulty of staying informed would increase tenfold. Suddenly, Wraith's eyes snapped open and he leapt to his feet. He'd heard footsteps, and they were getting closer. He ducked behind some cover and had his Ghost equip his helmet and last weapon. It was the pulse rifle he'd looted in his escape, now transformed into the Outbreak Prime. He wasn't losing this gun, but if he did, he was far from defenseless. He'd learned a number of new tricks during his exile. Sufficiently armed and armored, the Titan waited as the footsteps got louder and louder, until his visitor was in the same room. As soon as he was sure, he popped out from where he was hiding and trained his sights on the hairs of his unexpected guest. The intruder was a Warlock garbed in robes of black and silver, with a strange sword clenched in her hands. "Stop right there. Who are you, and how did you find me?" In response to the Titan's inquiry, the Warlock sheathed her blade and removed her helmet, revealing a black faced Exo with cold violet eyes. Wraith recognized her immediately. "Tenebra? What are you doing here?" "Looking for you. Have you heard the news?" "No, but judging by your tone, it's not good." "It's not, and if you'll lower your gun, I'll bring you up to speed." Wraith did as she requested. Once he had slung his rifle, he picked up two nearby crates and set them down next to each other, creating a pair of makeshift chairs. Once he and Tenebra had taken their seats, he asked the obvious question. "So, what is this bad news that I have yet to hear?" "Cayde's dead." The revelation hit him like a freight train. Wraith was speechless. "What?! How?!" "He was murdered by Uldren Sov during a breakout from the Prison of Elders, with the help of eight Scorned Barons. The bastard shot him with his own gun." "What did the Vanguard do in response? Surely I would have heard about this if they were planning something." "They did nothing. But guess who stepped up to do the deed." Wraith knew who she was referring to. "So, did The Guardian help them see sense?" Tenebra laughed, but there was no humor in it. "Oh no, Zavala refused to get off his indigo ass despite Ikora wanting to launch a full scale invasion of the Reef. So, The Guardian went on a one-man crusade of carnage against the Scorn." "Who are the Scorn?" "They're yet another variant of the Fallen. They despise the standard Fallen hierarchy and can be resurrected." Wraith groaned. "Oh well that's just perfect." "Fortunately, the only one who knew how to bring them back was killed, so they'll hopefully stay dead." "Well there's at least some good news. I still can't believe Cayde's dead." Tenebra stood up from her crate. "Neither can I. Wilhelm and Jade would be here, but they're currently dealing with the escaped prisoners. I'm supposed to be helping with that as well, but I took a detour to bring you the news." Wraith got up to say goodbye. "Well thanks for the company. You should probably leave before- Wait." Tenebra froze. "What is it?" "You were followed." Tenebra cursed. "Damn it! I thought no one could follow me!" "Less damning of mistakes, more readying for battle." The two drew their weapons, Wraith with the Outbreak Prime and Tenebra with her Black Talon. They waited, hearing the sound of approaching footsteps grow louder and louder around them until they suddenly stopped. Then, with a barely a whisper of sound, a whole Fallen crew materialized out of stealth. The Guardians were surrounded by a mob of Vandals led a massive Captain. All of these Fallen wore colors and symbols of an unknown House, but the Guardians didn't have much time to process this before the Captain spoke. "Light-born. Tell us what we want, and fewer have to die." Wraith responded fiercely. "And why should we tell you when we can kill you here?" The Captain roared in his language. "Your choice is made." With that, the circle of Fallen closed in. Tenebra Blinked out of their reach, while Wraith charged out of the trap, taking two Vandals along for the ride. Once they were both safely away, they turned around and began cutting them apart. Wraith firing bursts from his rifle and Tenebra slicing through them with her sword. Their attacks from two angles quickly cut their foes apart, until there were none left standing except- "Drop the weapon or her Ghost dies!" Wraith spun around to see the Captain holding his friend hostage. Three of his hands restrained the Walock, while the fourth held onto the struggling Ghost. "Drop it now!" Wraith quickly dropped the gun, not wishing to see his friend lose her Ghost. The Captain had a mad, frenzied look in his eyes. "You think this changes anything?! We will swarm over your walls, we will slaughter your Vanguard and we will take the Great Machine! And once we have it, Aramaxis will mount your Ghost on a pike!" A plan began to form in Wraith's head. It was incredibly risky, but he didn't trust that Captain to release Tenebra no matter what he did. "I don't know who Aramaxis is, but I guarantee you he won't win." With that the Titan aimed his fist at The Captain as his arm transformed into a miniature cannon. The Captain barely had time to register his shock before a blast of crimson energy destroyed his head. The corpse fell backward, releasing its prisoners. Tenebra fell to her knees and caught her breath as her Ghost healed the wounds she had sustained. Once she was strong enough to stand, she asked a rather pertinent question. "When did you learn [i]that[/i] trick?" Wraith bent over to retrieve his rifle. "It was a long time ago. It's nice to have a backup weapon no one expects. Would these be the Scorn that you mentioned?" Tenebra knelt down to examine the Captain's armor. "No. This is a new House. No other Fallen House has black as their primary color." "Well shit. I don't suppose you know anyone that might know about this House?" Tenebra stood up. "Actually, I might. She's a Hunter, obsessed with the Fallen. If anyone knows about this House, it's her." "Alright. I'll be in the Cosmodrome when you return. Probably would be safer there than here." "Okay. I'll tell you whatever I learn about this House." The two said their goodbyes and parted ways, one heading to the City, the other to Russia.