The nineteen year old couple, Edward and Gale, had snuck away from their parents' watch. This was nothing new for the weekend, but they normally strolled down the bustling streets of the City. Not today. Today, they wandered to looming wall.
"Ed, you know I trust your, 'adventurous' Judgement, but don't you think the wall is a little too extreme?"
"... Oh, the rumor about the Fallen? They just say that to keep us from escaping. All Fallen activity have been reported outside the wall." Edward took Gale's hand and walked in the rusted and jagged doorway.
"Don't worry, Gale. If anything does get us, I got a hand cannon."
The two walked through the halls, up and down the stairs, and carefully crossed dangling bridges. There was little to no light in the structure. Any available light was sunlight piercing the outer layer of the wall.
"This is new and all, but not at all romantic." Gale gazed over a rail to see how far down the abyss was. Edward took this opportunity and grabbed her waist to 'keep her from falling'.
"I know Gale, but it is secluded. We're alone up here..." Gale raised her eyebrow to that. "... Sometimes, I come up here to be alone, to think." Edward had no concern of what she was thinking at that moment.
The couple sat on the balcony listening to the aches and moans of the wall.
"You come up here... to listen and think? It is quite relaxing."
"Yeah. So, it may not be the romantic, but busy, streets of the City. This time it is the peace and tranquility." Gale propped her head on Edward's shoulder. Edward leaned back and put his arm under Gale's neck. In the soft echoes, and the cool breeze, they took a nap with the comfort of each other's presence.
In the peace came a loud howl! The balcony also began to shake violently! Edward and Gale sat up quickly and looked around!
"Baby, what is that?!" cried Gale.
"I don't know! It can't be the House of Wolves, they're dead! This has always been a safe zone, but let's get moving!" Edward grabbed Gale's hand and led her through the labyrinth of halls that he had memorized. All of the sudden, a small creature dropped down blocking their path! It screeched at them, but Edward pulled out his hand cannon and shot!
"Don't worry, Gale! I see the exit!" Edward rushed for the door, time seemed to slow down around him! Just before they could make it, a wire rifle bolt passed through the back of Edward's skull, leaving a burn mark! Edward just fell like a child's doll.
"ED!!" Gale's eyes swelled with tears as she knelt down by his body. Her crying was stopped by another bolt going through her chest.
One month later, a ghost found the dead bodies. It had revived Edward, and two months later, another ghost revived Gale. Five years later, Edward and Gale were reunited after graduating the guardian academy on Venus. Edward, a blade dancer, wore a distinct armor. His was the latest gear with white and blue markings. Gale, a stormcaller, wore the latest warlock gear with white and blue markings. The couple walked around looking for anyone that would be in their group.
"This is a great ceremony, I'm sure. But let's get out there! Let's see some action!" a camouflage ghost appeared over Edward's shoulder.
"Patience, Kelly. We need to find, at least, one more person. Then, we need to go to the Tower."
"Alrighty, then." her enthusiasm and sweet personality made Kelly a great ghost to have around.
In the distance was one titan sitting alone. He was a striker and he was wearing gear with white and blue markings! It was almost destiny to have all three of them with the same subclass and sane color scheme.
"Hey, Titan. I am Edward Hayes and this is Gale Burke. Would you care to join our fire team?" Edward and Gale walked up to the titan, who had no idea he was approached.
"Ah, hello Guardians. I am Haxx-56. Spelled with two X's." The titan's head raised up.
"Haxx? Did you get that name because it sounded cool?" asked Edward.
"No. My programming gives me capabilities to hack into most software. H.A.C.K.S. was taken, so I am H.A.X.X."
Other guardians rushed to join fire teams before the time ran out. Most stragglers gathered around other titans or other warlocks. There were the occasional fire team like ours, one hunter, titan, and a warlock.
"Good evening, Guardians!" A warlock stood on a stage.
"Good evening!" replied the hundreds of guardians.
A hush fell over the crowd. "I am Nikolai Aristov. I have been overseeing your training and you all have proven yourselves to be the best of the cadets. The City needs you, every one of you. If you have your team together, a ship is ready to take you to the City, Earth. That is all." Nikolai bowed and walked off the stage.
"So, we're all using an arc subclass. A striker can clear a battlefield as well as a stormcaller. A blade dancer can sneak around. What should are name be?" asked Gale.
"The SSD! Storm Striking Dancers!" said Haxx-56 blandly.
"Maybe not that. ARC? Assault and Reconnaissance Company?" asked Edward waiting for approval.
"Team ARC?" asked Gale.
"No, I think it is The ARC. Anything related to a team is in the name. C for Company." Haxx-56 said what Edward was about to say.
"I like that." Gale said smiling.
"Alright. In a few hours we will put our names in the Tower roster." Edward stood up and stretched his arms.
[spoiler]This is kicking off my new book Lives of ARC. I hope y'all enjoy.[/spoiler]
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Pretty good