[spoiler]This installment of Exotic History is made in part by mastercraft[/spoiler] No moon was present and even if there was such a thing, the canopy choked the sky from existence as methane and other invisible gases swirled in a conflux of death for any normal human. Tiny, dark lights of blue, white and green glittered and occasionally fluttered around and amongst the foliage until a disturbance sent them spiraling in chaos. A man, clad in blackened cloth and armor, ran swiftly in a single direction. His view was blocked by the ever present fog provided by his breath as his helmet continously fed him oxygen and readings. His radar never pulsed red even with its increased range and sensitivity, but he knew it was near, that it was coming. He drew his sidearm and checked for sufficient ammo as he hopped over a large root into a small clearing where the canopy's choke on the sky was loosened slightly to keep it just alive enough for conscienousness. As he reached the middle, his radar pinged to life a good few feet behind him. He quickly spun and unloaded the entire clip where his instinct told him to fire. Each shot pierced the darkness of the foliage, striking wood, plant matter, nothing. But he knew it was there, just not in sight. He quickly reloaded his sidearm and began to continue running, his radar pinging once again as two low dull sounds like bells rang into his ears as his head recoiled from the impact. His vision blurred as he felt the weakness setting in slightly, seeping into his bones like a infectious disease. He glanced behind him as the shadows formed into a humanoid form aiming a rifle dead at him. It's eyes bored into it's helmet were empty and unfeeling as the very area around it pulsed with shadows and dark mist. The man continued to run as his heart beat rose dramatically to compensate for the weakness he was feeling. Two more dull thuds like a shovel hitting dirt rang past his head as he stumbled forward into the forest, to get away. The being screeched in anger and faded into shadow once again in pursuit, hiding from the man's radar. He ignored the dizziness as best he could as he ran forward, digging further and further into his own grave. After a short burst of running, two more shots rang against his head like daggers against metal, breaking his shields and causing him to fall and slide against the ground, smattering sticky plant matter and mud on the front of his armor and cloak. He groaned in pain as more weakness began to set in, his peripheral vision obstructed by darkness. He rolled onto his back to see his radar ping bright red once again, directly in front of him. The shadow reformed into the figure once again as it stood over him, placing it's foot on his chest. He gagged and looked up as black smoke twirled around his torso, enveloping him in a blanket of darkness. His eyes glanced up to see the figure fully emerge from the shadows. The slender armor it bore was dark black with faint yellow lights spilling out of the cracks. The symbol of the Kings glowed slightly on its torso and hands as it held a rifle, shrouded in the black mist. The man winced and tried to sit up, only to have a few of his ribs crack under the pressure of the foot. His eyes were slowly beginning to fade to black as he stared up at the incarnation of Death. He growled with frustration and gripped the sidearm at his waist tightly. The being and the man stared at each other for a short while before the being aimed up with its rifle. The man coughed out a response. "What are you going to do?... Kill me?.." The figure simply stared in response. The man laughed slightly. "Well the Kings have taught you well enough... Tell me, do you even have any Light left?.." The figure pulled the trigger twice and the man's head jolted back in pain as darkness filled his body once more, slowing him down further. He breathed heavily to try and stay conscious as the figure brought the rifle closer to his head. The man gasped a reply as he tensed in pain. "Why?..." Silence followed for a few seconds then a soft female voice eminated from the figure. "Because." "That's not an a.. AHH!!" The figure crushed her foot against the mans chest. "For you it will suffice." She aimed up her rifle once again. The mist slowly began to fade and reveal the actual rifle. The man bit his lip to ignore the pain and glared up at the figure before him. "You... will not..." The figure dug her foot in further. "Too late." The rifle became visible to the man despite the fading blackness in his eyes. It was a scout rifle model, heavily based on Trials gear, but with more modifications. Vents lined the barrel and stock of the weapon, controlling the mist that came forthand te symbols were now Fallen based with the Kings brand in faint glowing yellow. The man's vision soon began to fade even faster as the figure jammed the rifle into his head. "Any final words?" The man gritted his teeth and managed a smile. "Yea... Hunters for life." He forced himself up and blinked away from the figure, drawing his sidearm. He aimed up and fired once as four bullets raced through his head, killing his shields and sending him sprawling to the ground. His vision faded to darkness as he tried to stand back up. He felt something press against his head as the female voice spoke to him once more. "All Guardians will fall. Even you.." Another two shots rang clear as the man slumped over, falling forever, down the grave he was so close to escaping. **** The figure stared down at the corpse before her. She fired off another shot, then another, then another until the clip ran dry but she still pulled the trigger, bloodlust seeping into her skin like poison. She continued to dry fire until a Fallen voice barked at her. "Stand down! Don't waste precious ammo on this garbage!" The figure slowly turned to find a Captian and three King Vandals uncloak from their invisibility. The Captian walked forward and kicked the corpse fiercely. "You can kick it all you want though." The Vandals chuckled at the comment and pulled line rifles from their backs. The figure shook her head slightly to regain her thoughts. "Do I sense some jealously in your voice? Kesdek?" The Vandals all went dead silent as the Captian paused and looked at the figure with hatred. "What did you say you little impudent..." "Remember who's the strongest." She pointed her rifle at him. The Captian froze and growled. "The Kell may have titled you Queen of Kings, the Kell may have given your unfit body the ability of your gracious Servitors, but you are still below me! All of us!" She chuckled and her right arm opened slightly with little slits to seep out a purple like fog. "I seriously doubt you could live without me." The Captian paused and shook in fury. He clenched his jaw together and waved his hand. "We should leave." He pointed to a Vandal. "Hide the body." "I will do that." The Captian growled. "I gave my subordinate an order." "And I decided I want to do it instead." She walked over to the corpse. "I will be along shortly." The Captian stood in disbelief and snorted angrily, waving his hand for the Vandals to move out. They left her alone as she squatted by the corpse and plucked the sidearm from its fingers. She studied it slightly then looked down at the corpse. "That's two prizes in one day." She clipped the sidearm next to the broken Ghost on her waist. She pulled out a large knife and cut the corpse into pieces, scattering each piece along the way as she walked. "I am a bringer of Death, an Assassin for a King and Kell." She held the final piece of the corpse and looked at its dead cold eyes. "And my rifle is my Herald." She dropped the head and phased into the shadows, dissapearing into the night. https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/173492905/0/0/1 link to Death's Herald