Hey guys! This is the first part of my second chapter of [i]A New Regime[/i]. This second installment is a lot longer than I thought it would be, so I'll be posting the rest of the parts over the course of the day. It also gives me a chance to see how you feel about the ending of this part. Bump or comment below if you liked it, and constructive criticism is always welcome. If you haven't read the first chapter, here's the link to go back to it. Now on with the story! https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/109858574/0/0 Itami exploded towards the Speaker in a massive barrage of metal and lightning, ready to tear the the man to pieces. Suddenly, a swirling mass of purple robes appeared before the Titan. The figure's arm was outstretched before her, her palm splayed outward. Without warning the massive Titan's vision became awash with purple light, as he was blinded by the power of a Warlock's Nova Bomb. Ikora Rey watched as the explosion from her attack blasted Itami backward and smirked as he smashed straight through the wall behind him and over the balcony, trailing a stream of smoke and purple fire. Ikora glanced behind her and looked into the mask of the Speaker. The mysterious man seemed unfazed by the attack. He simply gave a slight nod to the Warlock. She returned the gesture. Then she eyed each of the Vanguard mentors. "Don't get him killed." Then she dashed through the hole and vaulted over the balcony, ready to face her opponent. The whole room watched as Ikora followed after Itami, and all eyes turned to the two Hunters. The Awoken Hunter cleared her throat and finally spoke. "Anyone in here who isn't a Guardian, get out, before I have to disobey Geyser's orders about not killing you." In a shuffle of footsteps and a flurry of voices, the room was empty save for 3 Hunters, a Titan, and the Speaker himself. Cayde, who had been lounging on the wall this whole time, straightened himself and cracked his neck, his orange eyes narrowing as he began to scope out his prey. "Well, time to go to work." In the blink of an eye Cayde lobbed his throwing knife. The Awoken Hunter ducked just in time, and the knife made a loud THUNK as it instead impaled itself into the wall behind her, the blade still quivering from the force of the impact. In the same instant, the masked Hunter had drawn his handcannon and fired three quick shots at the Speaker. The bullets would've passed right through the man's chest...if a Ward of Dawn hadn't suddenly appeared from Zavala, stopping the bullets in their tracks. It was once again a stalemate, but not for long. Cayde drew his combat knives and leapt into the fray. The masked Hunter proceeded to draw his own knives, and soon the two Hunters became a blur of whirling cloaks and clanging steel. Zavala watched the battle from inside his Ward, impressed at the skill of this mysterious Hunter. Cayde, not even beginning to look or feel even the least bit tired, laughed joyously. "I can't even remember the last time I've had this much fun!" Even though the two Hunters seemed to be matched in skill and speed, stamina was a battle the masked Hunter knew he could not win. Cayde, being an Exo, could fight continuously for hours or even days at a time. In a desperate grab for a swift victory, the masked Hunter proceeded to try and cut out Cayde's eye. The Exo blocked the attack with his forearm, and, seeing the opening, kneed the other man in the gut. The masked Hunter slid backwards and clutched his stomach. He tried to regain his battle stance, but was instead met with the feeling of Cayde's Golden Gun pointed at his head. He could feel the intense heat even through his helm. The masked Hunter slowly looked up to glare at his harbinger of death. Cayde seemed amused at his enemy's defiance. "It's too bad it has to end this way," said Cayde. " If only you could've placed your loyalties properly. Any last words my friend?" The masked Hunter simply continued to glare into the face of Cayde. " Fine then. Be as stubborn as you want." Cayde steadied his hand, and as he was about to take the shot, he felt a blade pass clean through his neck. Cayde's Golden Gun disappeared as he fell to his knees, clutching his throat. He looked over his shoulder, and saw the the Awoken Hunter standing behind him, her body wreathed in electricity, an Arc Blade held firmly in her hand. "Invisibility works wonders, doesn't it?" Cayde could only let out a gurgled gasp before the Awoken swiftly kicked his head, sending it flying. As the Hunter's face smashed into the opposite wall, the decapitated body fell forward, the stump sparking and leaking a thick black fluid. Zavala watched on in horror from inside his Ward of Dawn. He could feel the guilt and shame wash over him like a tidal wave, and could even feel bile rising in his throat as he viewed the great Hunter's dishonorable death. The Titan lowered his head, and took a few deep breaths to steady himself. When he looked back up, the two Hunters were still there, waiting for him to make his next move. Zavala gritted his teeth, knowing he had no choice but to attack them head on. He released his Ward of Dawn and clasped his hands. Sparks began to appear around his armor, and soon his entire body became wreathed in lightning. Zavala knew he would be leaving the Speaker defenseless, but he had no choice. It was payback time, and hell hath no fury like a Titan scorned. The Hunters weren't prepared for how fast Zavala could be in battle. Even while wearing his bulky armor, Zavala became a blur as he shoulder charged straight into the Awoken Hunter's chest. Zavala could even hear her ribs crack as she flew backwards into the opposite wall, blood flowing from her gaping mouth. In flash of metal, Zavala was soon on top of the masked Hunter. He tries to slash at Zavala's face, but the Titan dodged and was soon facing the Hunter's back. Grabbing the back of his head with an iron grip, he slammed the Hunter face first through the hardwood floor and into the foundation below, wood splintering and rock crumbling all around them. Even those two quick attacks left Zavala heaving for breath. It had been a long time since Zavala had had to release the full extent of his power, but it had gotten the job done. "This fight, is ov- GAAAAHHH!!!" Zavala could feel the blade pierce through his armor and cut deep into his back. Zavala swung a wild punch behind him in the hopes of landing a hit on his adversary, but the Awoken Hunter had already jumped backward out of his reach. He stepped forward, ready to take out the other Hunter, when he felt something violate his back once more. He looked down, and saw the tip of an Arc Blade had pierced through the front of his armor. The other Hunter was still alive, and he was a Bladedancer too. Zavala gritted his teeth and forced himself not to cry out in pain as he felt the blade begin to burn through his lung, but then the Hunter began to twist, ever so slowly. Zavala cried out in agony as the searing hot blade began to tear through his lung and scrape his ribs, while his insides began to broil from the heat the blade was producing. Even in her battered state, the Awoken Hunter dashed forward, ready to pierce her own blade through Zavala's heart. Hope you guys enjoyed it! Now continue on to Part 2! https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/110549903/0/0