Edward looked around, teeth grinding together. He gave off a sky blue hue, and small, metal objects dangling from the ceiling were drawn to Edward. This was all too subtle, even for the Fallen. A few chain links bumped into each other as they swayed, but Braxis and the rest of Winter thought nothing of it. Edward looked around the room for any way of escape. "Gale? Aren't warlocks telekinetic?" Edward struck an idea. "No.?." answered Gale. "Oh, d***it.... but you are a Stormcaller." "Yes.?." "You may not be telekinetic, but you might be electromagnetic. See that staff, I need it." Edward pointed to the rod with his head. Gale concentrated and formed a small orb of electricity in her palm. Like with Edward, random metal objects were drawn to their direction, but with more pull. This, Braxis pondered on. He sat forward on his throne and looked at where they were pointing.... and growled! The electricity channeled by Gale started branching to the nearest metals, one such being the staff. It was drawn to her, where she could give it to Edward. Edward took in hand and engulfed it with arc energy! The plasma covered staff was a feared blade! He cut his bonds as well as Gale's. They tried to run for the exit, but Braxis cut them off! This time he was infuriated! His swords were drawn and he was ready for a dual! Edward stepped in front of Gale and took a fighting stance! Braxis swung first, but Edward knocked the shock blades away! Next, Edward spun the staff over his head and hit Braxis' ribcage, cutting through his arc shields! Braxis lunged, but Edward jumped over, yet Braxis cut a gash in Edward's arm! Both the Hunter, and the Baron, walked a circle around each other. Both understanding each other's strength. Braxis raised his swords for a downward strike, but Edward held his staff over his head! Braxis recoiled and swung at Edward's legs, once again, Edward held the staff perpendicular to the strike! Faster than Edward could react, Braxis recoiled again and swung for Edward's legs again, on the opposite side! Edward tried to jump, but a gash was cut into his right leg! He fell to the ground, almost kneeling. He looked up to see Braxis reaching for a decapitating blow! Just before the blades made contact, Edward turned invisible and was gone! Edward appeared behind Braxis. He had a limp, but still fighting! Edward swung the staff, hitting Braxis' left ribs! His shields dropped again. Edward quickly spun around hitting Braxis' other ribs! This cut a gash in the Fallen's armor, and ether supply! The Fallen fell to one knee, much like Edward. He teleported from the room and locked all the doors! Laughter echoed through the comms. The other Fallen attacked the two Guardians, but Gale activated Landfall, wiping them out. It was another half hour before Braxis returned in repaired gear. Edward no longer had an Arc Blade, and Gale no longer had Storm Trance! Braxis swung his swords around, watching the Guardians. Before anyone attacked, loud repeating noises echoed through the metal ceiling. It sounded like a light rain on tin. Everyone looked up. Edward noticed what looked like bulges from bullets hitting a thin wall of metal. A few bullets even punctured through. Three tiny beams of light breached the black room, previously only illuminated by red glowing monitors. "What the h***?" asked Edward curious. Soon, a low rolling thunder could be heard and the sky turned grim. "You didn't come alone, did you?" Gale asked looking to Edward. "No." answered Edward with a smile. Haxx smashed through the ceiling, landing between Braxis and Edward! The impact knocked everyone to the ground. "We need to go! Now!!" yelled Haxx helping Edward and Gale up! Braxis sat up to watch the three Guardians escape! He got up and followed! Edward, Gale, and Haxx made it outside. Several Fallen blocked their exit and surrounded them! The Guardians set up a defensive barrier at the floor of the cave and shot Fallen coming from both directions! "What's your plan, Haxx? I doubt you came without a plan!" asked Edward shooting the approaching dregs and shanks. "Stay alive!" yelled Haxx in reply. "Oh... simple enough!" Edward watched Braxis, riding a spider walker, march out of the ketch. "Not so simple!" The tank fired one rocket, it was ten feet too high and missed, but everyone took cover! Another rocket fired, only a five feet too low! Debris fell over the Guardians. "He's zeroing in on us!" worry filled Gale's voice. Haxx looked to the sky. "That laser target is right on top of us!" yelled Edward. "It doesn't matter!" shouted Haxx. "Look!" Edward and Gale looked up. Two starfighters flew over the ketch, bombing it! "Yeaaahhhh!! H*** yeah!! Whoo hoo!!" cheered the Guardians! The ketch began breaking, falling into the chasm below! The spider walker tried to get onto solid land, but falling debris hit it, bringing it down with everything else! Several pieces of the ship did land on the ground as well as burning embers! The Fallen not killed by the bombing run were in shock, they didn't even shoot at the Guardians. Edward, Gale, and Haxx left the lair and met up with their ships. "Good job, Drake!" said Edward as he patted the ghost. "Actually, this was all Kelly's idea. She's been waiting for some action." Drake looked to the other pilot. Edward walked to his ship. "This was your doing?" he sounded impressed. "Yup!" "Well, thank you. You saved my life, Gale's life, and Haxx's life." Edward looked to everyone. "Let's go home..." The team returned to the Tower. They put up their gear and let Amanda take their ships. The Vanguard leaders met them in the courtyard. "I want your full report of the bomb run on Venus!" said Zavala demanding. "Oh, you heard? D***, word travels fast." said Edward. "I was captured by the Winter Baron, Braxis while participating in a sparrow race. I was taken to their ketch. They were forming a small army. Edward came to rescue me, but was outmatched by Braxis. Haxx helped both of us escape and fight off the Fallen. Not long after, our ghosts bombed the ketch, Braxis, and his army. From what it seems, the House of Winter is either destroyed or crippled." Gale tried to tell Commander Zavala everything. "Well, if that is what happened, good work Guardians. Especially you, Haxx. I'm sure our grasp on Venus is that much greater without the House of Winter." Commander Zavala gave the team a slight bow and returned to the Hall of Guardians. Most of the fires went out, leaving charred corpses and ash covered metal. The Winter ketch was no more. The House of Winter was in turmoil. Fallen tried to scavenge any usable weapons, armor, or material. As dregs were digging through the remains, a fist punched through debris, startling the dregs! Two more arms surfaced and moved the metal out of the way, allowing for Braxis to stand up. He scurried to find a dead captain's ether mask, his broke. A whitish gas quickly escaped his life support! He fell on all six and crawled towards a captain. Braxis removed his mask and replaced it. Braxis rolled over on his back and started breathing regularly again. He sat up looked around: no ketch, no tanks, maybe forty or less soldiers. Braxis gave off a loud howl of anger! He looked to his remaining allies. "Scavenge any skiffs left! We are going to find the House of Exile!" Braxis led his team to the Vex strongholds, where scouts of the House of Winter hid. They took their skiffs and flew to the moon. After landing, Braxis seeked out the outcast Fallen that banded together to form the House of Exile. They walked to the Anchor of Light, where Frigoris the Exile Baron dwelled.