[b]Continuing from where we left off: part 1[/b]: https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/181761079/0/0 [b]Chapter Index: [/b] https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/128755126/0/0 [u]Chapter 19: [i]Fire & Screams[/i][/u] Rorschach quickly ran outside to the entrance of the cave, where the others were getting ready to head out. “Guys, wait up!” he called out. Ventryx turned to face Rorschach, “where were you?” Rorschach stopped just in front of her, “I was grabbing my pistol,” he said as he holstered it, “when I came across a recorded message to one of our own. It was from Draksis, Kell of Winter.” The faces of the Fallen soldiers before Rorschach furrowed in confusion. “Who was it a message for,” Ventryx said harshly, her gruff voice cutting through the chatter. “You’re not going to believe this, but it was for Randor.” The Dreg said quietly, “there’s proof if you want, I’ll just have to go back and-“ “No,” the Baroness interrupted, “I believe you. Randor has been acting more…hostile than you usual. I had assumed it was because of battle, but I suppose I was wrong.” “What else did you find out?” Jevik asked. “Only that Randor has been supplying Winter with information about our attack maneuvers and the diversion that the fleet was hoping to create.” Rorschach grumbled with a sigh. Greevis stood up from the rock he was sitting on, “Perhaps it would be wise to begin our journey to the Coves, yes? I fear that Randor will come back for us, but not with open arms.” Ventryx nodded, “Right.” She turned to the small band of Vandals behind her, “We’ll want to make it to the Coves by nightfall, which is closing in fast, so let’s get going. Greevis, take point with Taliks, while Jevik, you cover up the rear. Rorschach, you’ll be sticking with me. The rest of you, stay in between Greevis and Jevik, and we’ll be fine.” The group acknowledged the command and went off into their positions. Ventryx pulled Rorschach along with her, lagging behind Jevik by a few meters. They walked a mile in silence staring at the environment around them: molten lava slow and blue, jagged rocks dotting the bases of sharp drops, and the smooth gray stone that rose up on either side of the path that the Fallen walked. The ground beneath their marching feet shifted in the wind, the grains of ash and sand lifted into the air, and tossed malevolently. Rorschach watched as the wind did this, and quietly made it into a metaphor of his people. The ash was them, the Ash, while the wind was the tumultuous life that they lived. Rorschach looked to Ventryx, who towered above him, wondering what was going on in her head. Her skin was dark and leathery like everyone else, but it bore many differences in the scars that were carved into the flesh. Her face was set in a scowl, but her eyes looked hollow, lacking the brightness they once had. Rorschach thought she looked sad, the way she just stared at the ground. He could see that her armor was weighing her broad shoulders down, but he knew that it was more than just the heavy metal that whittled her strength; it was her life and all the turmoil that she had gone through. In her hands, Rorschach saw the Baroness running her thumb along a small wooden carving. It was strung to a chain, which resided in Ventryx’s palm. He thought about asking her what it was, but decided against it, thinking it would bring pained memories to her. Instead, the Dreg reached up in caution, placing a hand on her lower left arm, friendly yet reassuring. Ventryx looked up slightly, turning to look down at the gesture. She sighed lightly and put her upper arm on Rorschach’s shoulder which surprised him given her usual hostility. “You give me courage, little one,” She muttered, putting the wooden figure and the chain in a pouch on her belt, “Despite all that has happened, you and your friend seem to be the least scared.” Rorschach chuckled, [i]if only she knew,[/i] he thought. “So you admit that you’re scared?” he decided to say after a pause. The Baroness nodded solemnly, “Yes, everyone has something to fear.” “And what do you fear?” “Losing all that I care for; comrades, family…our people. The Whirlwind already stripped us down to pirating nomads, and I had a hope that we could be more than that if we had the Great Machine. It seems that I am wrong.” Rorschach looked down at his hands, “No, I don’t think you are. It doesn’t matter whether we have Venus or not, we shouldn’t have even been fighting with Winter over it in the first place. If we could unite the Houses, and launch a strike at the humans, they would cripple under our might, and the Great Machine would be ours, the Fallen could rise again.” “Haha, if it only it were so simple. No, Aba, we could never unite under one banner. That possibility fell with our former selves.” Ventryx paused for a moment before continuing. “Our name was Eliksni then, when we were stronger.” “Eliksni…” Rorschach smiled, revealing two sets of pointed teeth, “I like that name.” Ventryx scoffed, “Indeed, it captured the allure that we held.” Her tone saddened once more, “But it is all gone now, into the Abyss of our memories.” “Why are you so certain that we can never regain that strength?” Rorschach inquired, shaking his head. “Because-because... bah, it doesn’t matter why, we just can’t.” She growled. “Enough talk for now anyways, we will continue when we reach the camp.” “Why?” Ventryx sighed, “Because, Aba, I am tired.” Rorschach nodded and walked silently alongside his Baroness the rest of the way to the Coves, where refuge lay, and hopefully, a way off of the planet. [b]part 3: [/b] https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/182563184