[b][u]Chapter 1 - My Poison, My Pride[/u][/b] [b][i]Verse 1:1 A war of love[/i][/b] [url]https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/213621711?page=0&sort=0&showBanned=0&path=1[/url] [b][i]Verse 1:2 – This is your charge[/i][/b] Deep within Savathun’s throne space the nameless Thrall beheld it’s mother upon her throne in awful decaying majesty. The throne room, a battered and vast assembly hall at the base of a tower, teemed with Hive of every variety. An innumerable sea of Thralls blanketed the floor making it appear to writhe and squirm with life. Acolytes and Knights occupied the higher outcrops and wizards hovered in the dozens around the climbing tower. A black miasma permeated the air. From each Hive a stream of noxious smog drifted upward to the Hive who stood on the balcony above. Acolytes breathed out tribute to the knights and wizards above who in turn exhaled their death offerings to the wizards of the High Coven that encircled Savathun. Finally from the ancient wizards of her court did the tribute reach Savathun and the inward burrowed mouth of her worm. A portion of this was to be saved for the worm god Ur. Her throne was a mangled lattice of the spears that top the Hive seeders, devices of her creation as well. The great wizard mother floated lifelessly with her eyes closed as she drank of the offered violence and light from her supplicants and children. When her worm had been satisfied, Savathun let out a dreadful shriek that caused the sky to ignite with emerald flame. This was met with the celebratory shouts and roars of the lesser Hive which thundered far beyond the reaches of the tower. She looked carefully about her at the waves of followers that awaited her command and then she spoke. “In the days that our kind lived as the prey of Fundament, I dreamt of being a mother. This was not merely to live long but to make a difference. I feared dying!” Savathun tossed her head back and laughed. “I have since learned that death is a necessary part of existence. I wished to make a difference but did not know what it was. That secret knowledge fled from me. I have captured and killed this secret and fed upon it. I will share the spoils of this slaughter with you now. Not because I take pleasure in giving but rather because this secret is our strength.” Savathun flew high above her throne into the skylight above. Her voice rang down clear to her audience. “Our purpose is to whittle the universe, all that exists, into the perfect final shape by cutting away the weakness that infects and hinders. You are to be sharp but you must have purpose. You are to be as the scalpel. Every cut that you make should be as an incision. That is to be precise and calculated; to cut the vitals and inflict a slow and excruciating end on all things. It is good to relish in the pain that you cause as it allows you to reflect, and learn how to better inflict your lasting influence upon reality. Now go forth and conquer in this crusade against the light that yet offends. This is your charge!” The Hive again roared and shrieked before cutting open dozens of wounds in the fabric of reality and leaping through back into the physical realm. All had gone but again the nameless Thrall remained. Savathun drifted down through the tower to observe her child. “You are prepared for your secret task?” she asked curiously. “Yes, mother. I will be bound by my duty as you are bound by your oath to Eir to always practice cunning.” Savathun marveled at the knowledge of this frail thing that she had begotten. She did not let on to her amazement however. “Very well. Your sister, Balwur, serves in Oryx’s court the High War even now. Her wisdom and craft are greater than even those of my court! She proved her worth when we slaughtered those deceived Taishibethi sun ravens at the Golden Amputation. When my brother saw her might he gave the command for her to serve in his court and fuel our crusade. Again does he seek the mighty for his High War. He demands now for the ogre Krughor whom I touched with a curse and hid his death. The king has demanded one, but I will grant him two. This is how you shall seep in and corrupt slowly as a powerful poison. Observe Balwur and learn from her cunning ways. This is your charge. Let us go now and meet your uncle oh secret mine…”