Greetings, Guardians, and here's part eleven of Doom of the Dragons! Here's [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/238989002?sort=0&page=0]part ten[/url] if you missed it! As usual, if you like it, give it a bump, and I'll get more out soon! Stay classy, Guardians! Cupun stared at the dragon for a long moment. Its yellow eyes stared down at him with a look akin to condescension.[i] What do you wish to know, oh Titan mine?[/i] the voice boomed. Cupun took a breath, and prepared to answer, but the voice cut him off.[i] I could tell you of your past.[/i] Cupun blinked. “What?” [i]Your past,[/i] the dragon said.[i] Your family. Your - [/i] Suddenly, the dragon lifted up his head, and let out a low chuckle that reverberated throughout the cavern.[i] Ah. I can see why you loved the titan. She must have reminded you of her so much. [/i] Cupun frowned. “How do you know about Lyra?” he asked. “And who is ‘her?’” [i]Why, your wife, of course, oh Guardian mine. [/i] Cupun froze. He took a step backwards, and stared up at the dragon. His voice dropped to a whisper. “My wife?” [i]Yes. [/i]The Dragon looked back down at him.[i] I do not pretend to understand the human concept of beauty, but I see that she was very attractive by your standards. . . oh Guardian mine. [/i] Cupun stared at the dragon. Suddenly, he was overcome by a desire to know what the dragon knew - the finally know the past had been hidden from him for so many years. “How do you know about my past?” he asked. [i]I can see your memories, oh asker mine, the dragon said, bubbling, yearning to be freed, just beneath the surface. [/i]The dragon leaned forwards, basking Cupun with his hot breath.[i] I could free them - with a simple touch. [/i]He leaned forwards. [i]But that’s not why you’re here. Is it?[/i] Suddenly, the desire abated as quickly as it had come upon him. He took a deep breath. Lyra, he thought, I’m here for Lyra. He looked up at the dragon. “No,” he said, “it isn’t.” [i]Then state your question, oh asker mine.[/i] Cupun stared up at the dragon. “I went on a mission to Earth’s moon, Luna,” he said. “I went there with four companions.” He shook his head. “I returned with three. “We were attacked by some strange creatures,” Cupun continued. “One of them was floating above the ground - and it turned our light against us.” [i]I see. [/i]The dragon snorted[i]. And what do you wish to know, oh asker mine? [/i] Cupun stared at the dragon. “These creatures,” he said, “what were they?” [i]Wrong. [/i] Cupun blinked. “What?” [i]That’s not the question you came here for,[/i] the Dragon said. [i]But I shall answer it nonetheless, oh Asker mine. [/i]The Dragon lifted its head in the air, and stared up at the ancient cavern.[i] The creatures belonged to an ancient race[/i], he began, [i]one almost as old as mine kin. They have their beginnings far from here, as a humble race known as the Krill. But, in the depths of their world, they discovered an ancient, sleepless malice. One which some among them thought to use as a weapon to destroy their enemies. In reality, they are wrong; it uses them. [/i] The Dragon looked down at Cupun. T[i]hey are the Hive, he said, numberless, sleepless, pitiless evil incarnate. The one you speak of - the one who turned your light against you - she is what they call, “wizard.” And her name is Talâk. [/i]The Dragon fixed him with his cold, yellow, eyes. [i]Now state your true question, oh Guardian mine. Before I tire of this banter. [/i] Cupun nodded. “How do I kill them?” The dragon grinned. [i]I have always liked you Titans. Straight to the point. No mutterings on moral queries, no need to state your own theories and argue with mine. Just the question, and nothing more. [/i]The dragon narrowed his eyes. [i]Of course, there is the mater of payment. All knowledge has a price - sometimes that price is small. And sometimes, it is great indeed, oh Guardian mine. [/i] Cupun shrugged. “Name it.” The dragon nodded. [i]As you wish, oh Guardian mine.[/i] He looked around the room.[i] The wizard you saw, [/i]he began,[i] she held a green orb. You remember it? [/i] Cupun nodded. It had glowed a sickly green color, and a strange object had been at its center. “I do.” [i]When you kill that wizard, you will take the orb from its body. Then, you will bring it to me. [/i] Cupun nodded. “Done.” [i]Do I have your word, oh Guardian mine? [/i] “You have it.” [i]Excellent. [/i]The dragon leaned in. Soon, his massive snout was mere meters from Cupun’s face. [i]Unless you have friends who think as you do, will not be able to destroy the Hive, oh Guardian mine[/i], he said.[i] They are too numerous and powerful for that. You must content yourself with the head of Talâk. Do you understand me? [/i] Cupun thought for a moment, and nodded. All he wanted was the creature that had taken Lyra from him. If he had that, then he would be satisfied. [i]Good. [/i]The dragon stared at him. [i]There is no one weapon that can destroy the Hive. No magic bullet that will send them screaming into the abyss. Even your light, powerful as it is, will not be enough. No. What you need is knowledge. For only in knowledge is there true power. And only with true power can the Hive finally be destroyed.[/i] “Alright,” Cupun said. “Tell me. What do I need to know?” The Dragon stared at him for a long moment.[i] All knowledge has a cost, oh Guardian mine,[/i] he said.[i] Sometimes, that cost is hidden from view. And sometimes it is terrible indeed. [/i] “I don’t care,” Cupun said. “Tell me.” The dragon nodded. [i]Then you accept your fate, [/i]he said. He paused for a long moment. [i]The Hive operate on a principle that is as simple as it is complex. To defeat Talâk, and take your vengeance, you will need to understand this principle. Embrace it like you would your light, oh Guardian mine.[/i] Cupun nodded. “What is it, then?” [i]The sword logic. [/i] Cupun frowned. “What?” [i]To simplify it, it is the idea that one can only grow by taking from others, the Dragon said. It is the basic governing principle of what you call “Darkness.” [/i] Cupun felt a chill go down his spine. “I see.” [i] I sense the discord within you, oh Guardian mine, [/i]the Dragon said. [i]You fear this - as is natural. But think of it this way - you must walk in Darkness so that others may revel in the Light. [/i] Cupun stared at the Dragon. “And where is it that you walk?” The Dragon looked down on him with a gaze akin to annoyance[i]. I walk between the worlds of Light and Dark,[/i] he said.[i] I walk wherever mine own needs are best served. Now do you wish to avenge your fellow Guardian or not?[/i] Cupun closed his eyes, and felt a certain calm set over him. “Alright,” he said. “Now how does this help me?” [i]Watch.[/i] The Dragon moved forwards, and lifted up its left leg. Then, it touched Cupun’s head with the tip of a claw. [i]And understand, oh Guardian mine. [/i] Suddenly, Cupun felt an alien presence invade his mind. He tried to fight against it, but the presence was pervasive. It felt ancient, refined, and above all, alien. He felt the presence twist deeper into his mind, and realized that, whatever it was, the presence was enjoying itself. Cupun began to shake uncontrollably, but he couldn’t move from his position. “Cupun?” his ghost said. “Cupun!” Suddenly, the presence withdrew, and Cupun fell backwards, gasping. He looked up at the dragon. “What was that?” he asked. [i]You are now prepared, oh Guardian mine, [/i]the dragon said. [i]Go to Luna. Kill your wizard. Claim my prize. [/i] Cupun turned around, dazed. [i]Go, oh Guardian mine. [/i] Those last four words carried a mocking tone with them, and he thought he heard the dragon chuckle behind him. But Cupun barely registered it. Instead, he simply stumbled back into the tunnel that he’d entered the caldera from, and left. [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Groups/Post?groupId=1371758&postId=239447402&sort=0&page=0]Part Twelve: Wrath[/url]