Chapter Index: https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/128755126/0/0 [b]Well Guardians, I said there'd be two chapters this weekend, and I have delivered. COLORXCAT65's and ZyKryptic's characters are in this one[/b] [u]Chapter 15 : [i]To Kill A Prime (part 3)[/i][/u] Marcus-3 walked into the shallows of a lake with Elain and Kryptic-7 standing on either side of him. They scanned the area, locating their destination, miles from where they stood. Behind them lay the remains off a Fallen outpost. In front of them however, towered the snow-capped Mount Elbert. The surrounding skies were clear of any Fallen activity, yet the Guardians remained wary. "That mountain is where their Prime is." Marcus said as he pointed to it. "We'll fly in as close as we can, then we'll walk the rest of the way." "Sounds good to me," Kryptic shrugged, "but are you sure that's where it is?" Marcus turned to his fellow Exo, "Positive. It should be the middle peak. Now...the climb will be the hardest part, but there should be a large cave on our way up. We'll follow it into the heart of the mountain, find the Prime, and end it." Elain spoke up this time. "Sounds like a plan," She reloaded her pulse rifle, "let's get moving, we should exploit the daylight while we still have it." Marcus and Kryptic nodded. Marcus summoned his Ghost, along with his ship. Within moments, the fireteam had strapped in and were on their way to the mountain. They flew through the sky with ease, and after fifteen minutes, they were stepping off the loading ramp. Marcus was the first out, his boots crushing the powdery ice beneath him. It was much colder on the mountain compared to Turquoise Lake, far below them, and a chilling wind howled in the air. Elain walked out behind him, "Jesus, it's freezing up here. You guys are lucky you're robots." "Well, lucky is a bit too strong of a word, I'd go with fortunate." Kryptic replied as he stepped of the closing ramp. He twirled his hand cannon and looked up into the grey sky, "Damn, that's a long way up." Rex, Marcus' Ghost, appeared next to them, "14,440 feet up." Marcus nodded, "Yeah, which is why we should get moving. We'll leave the ship cloaked while we're gone." He walked forward and began to carve a trail in the snow. "Oh, and Elain, make sure you have enough food, and that your body temperature remains stable." She followed after the Exo, "I already did. Owen is holding it for me in that weird Ghost inventory." "Good." Marcus continued to lead the way, with Elain and Kryptic following closely behind him. Within minutes of their ascension, a light storm began to fall upon them, covering each Guardian in a thin veil of powdery snow. They pushed onward though, and eventually came to their first sign of the Fallen's presence on the Mountain. Marcus crouched down, and held a fist in the air, signaling the others to stop. A few meters in front of him, a group of Fallen Vandals and Dregs stood, clicking and garbling in their strange tongue. The Exo studied their banners and armor, no doubt that these were Ash. He leveled his hand cannon and fired at the group, taking a Vandal's head clean off, it's Ether dissipating in the air. Elain and Kryptic followed suit and took out the rest of the Fallen. It wasn't even a firefight, just a slaughter. "Well, now we know that they actually [i]are[/i] here." Kryptic remarked as he looted the bodies. Marcus walked ahead and scouted out a path. There were Fallen light stakes driven into the snow sporadically, but they led the way up, and so the Striker decided to follow their glow. He beckoned the others forth, and they continued their climb up Mt. Elbert. Along the way, Marcus began hearing whispers in the wind. At first he dismissed them, but as they began to get closer to the top of the mountain, the static became unbearable. Then, a vision hit the Exo like a bag of bricks. [i]He was standing in a pit with the Prime, a glowing ball of darkness. Next to him, Elain and Kryptic lay cold and lifeless, their Ghosts shattered into pieces. In a flash, he was transported to an ethereal place. It seemed familiar, and a great tower rose in the distance, but it wasn't the Tower. He saw himself walking among thousands of people, and when he got close, they all started screaming. It was a horrible shriek, the kind that sends chills down your spine. Then, a booming voice spoke, and the vision went dark, [b]"I warned you before, Guardian, You should not have come. Now, you have wrought the destruction of those who you hold dear, and I will devour their light."[/b][/i] Marcus nearly stumbled off the side of the mountain, but Kryptic pulled him away from the edge. "Woah, Marcus, what are you doing?!" The Striker only shook his head, "Agh, nothing...just keep moving." Rex, appeared next to Marcus, "What happened? I couldn't reach you; it was like you weren't here." "I don't know," the Exo whispered, "Just, warn me if I go off the radar again." Rex bobbed to show that he understood, and then disappeared in a flash of light. Marcus continued walking, leading the others up further and further. As the hours passed, and the sky darkened, the Fallen became more active. Roars and clicks could be heard in the wind, though their sources were far off. The fireteam of Guardians became increasingly wary, and stopped often to see if they were being followed. Elain muttered to Kryptic, "I don't think Marcus is doing well. He's slowed down, and hasn't spoken..." The Warlock nodded, his expression hidden behind his Obsidian helmet and metal features. "I noticed. When I pulled him back a while ago, I felt the Darkness lingering on him." Elain stopped, and then quickly kept walking, "Do you think it's the Prime?" "I don't know, but Marcus isn't himself, I'll have Erasthmus here keep an eye on him." Kryptic said, gesturing to his Ghost that floated next to him. Elain nodded, seemingly satisfied with the solution. "Now, let's get moving." [b]Click here for next part:[/b] https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/152141333