My unofficial add on to the Book of Sorrows [b][u]Chapter 1 - My Poison, My Pride[/u][/b] Verse 1:1 - A war of love https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/213621711?page=0&sort=0&showBanned=0&path=1 [b][i]Verse 1:2 - This is your charge[/i][/b] https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/213708637/0/0 [b][i]Verse 1:3 - From Court to Court[/i][/b] With the wave of a clawed hand the tear opened. Sickly green light spewed from the hissing portal as Savathun and the nameless Thrall passed through with hoards of her followers in tow. Traversing from the ascendant realm to the material plain was always a painful experience for the exalted Hive. In doing so they stepped away from their true power to be diminished with limited physical bodies. This journey into Oryx's Dreadnought however, this was different. The feeling of tearing through the fabric of reality from Savathun's throne space to Oryx's seemed almost pleasurable. Within the vast and expansive walls of the Dreadnought the nameless Thrall could feel the lingering power of the worm god Akka. Dozens of Hive traveled down the shadowy passages of the Dreadnought to Oryx's throne room in rank and file. With cleavers and shredders in hand, they seemed to be marching to war rather than visiting their king on royal business. The procession, led by Savathun, headed down the dimly lit corridor past twitching wires and colossal structures of hadium and chitin. At the end of the hall stood a set of towering sturdy doors with lofty Hive idols at either side. To one side was the idol of Crota and on the other was Nokris. Savathun paid these no attention but the Thrall, as it passed through, studied every aspect of its surroundings. Through the doors lay the altar and quarters of Oryx. Large bodies of Hive traversing liquid covered the ground like stagnant pools of water. At the far end of the open room stood Oryx the King of the Hive and master of Taking. He tightly held his sword, Willbreaker, in hand as he watched his sister enter. His mighty wings were folded about him like a kingly robe. His horns were high and wide like a glorious crown of death. Oryx's presence seemed to command the loyalty of all the Hive present. "Sister" said Oryx. "It has been too long since we last saw one another. Do you and Xivu Arath still believe that I constrain you?" Oryx asked mockingly. He tested his sister knowing that he had crippled her tribute. "Oryx, our parting was of necessity. You know this well." Savathun looked around the altar space and sensed the great power of her brother. "Our separation has been the key to your strength I see. It has been instrumental to mine as well." "How interesting" said Oryx with a chuckle. "You claim to have gained strength even after I crippled your tribute and dried up your sustenance. No matter. I seek a new combatant for my court. Have you this thing that I've demanded?" "Let us see" Savathun said coldly. She threw her hands up and hissed. The air began to crackle and burn as a wound opened. A thunderous roar sounded from the portal as an Ogre stepped out of it. The lumbering creature emerged in rage and hunger, ready to consume the light, ready to destroy whatever crossed it's path. The Ogre's skin was thick and callused. An aura like a veil of smoke surrounded its body. "You demanded a powerful soldier. You remember Krughor from the Golden Amputation?" asked Savathun with a hint of trickery in her voice. Krughor was unable to contain it's rage and began to thrash around near the altar space. Two Knights that stood by ran to contain Krughor and protect the sanctity of the altar but they found that they could not harm the beast. Their cleavers were useless, and despite their great strength, every swing left Krughor unscathed. The Ogre grabbed the two Knights in its fists and slammed them into the ground. Their bodies burst into sparks and ash as they perished. Oryx laughed and clapped his hands in amusement. "Ah yes, impenetrable armor. Savathun your craft is paramount. This is why I appointed Balwur to my court; Suzerain of Metabolisms, crafter of armaments for my soldiers. I have now gained another one touched by you and your word to fuel my court for the long crusade." Krughor was now rampaging through the altar space. He locked his sight on Oryx and began to charge. The traversing fluid began to glow and froth as several luminescent Thralls emerged and ran to Krughor's side. They had been cursed by Savathun's covens; bound to seek their enemies and destroy them in an act of fiery self destruction. Savathun smiled as Krughor and his acursed underlings neared the Hive king. A look of depraved hunger was impressed on her face. "Enough!" Shouted Oryx. He unfurled his wings and soared into the air with Willbreaker raised. The acursed Thralls ceased their assault at once and bowed in reverence. Krughor, however, continued on driven by unfettered rage. Oryx raised his hand, it filled with black fire. Savathun slashed at the air and immediately Krughor was engulfed in familiar green flames and pulled through a wound just before he reached Oryx's pedestal. The acursed Thralls ran into the portal as well behind their commander. Savathun shrieked with glee. "You should have seen your face!" Oryx relaxed himself and folded his wings back around his body. He barked a command. "High War, my court of challenge, my murderous vanguard, come forth that you may be numbered and displayed before your king!" The pools of traversing fluid around Oryx's altar began to bubble and seethe as Hive of incredible might and size rose. The Knight Vorlog arose first followed by three identical Wizards; Alzok Dal, Gornuk Dal, and Zyrok Dal. Balwur, daughter of Savathun, arose clothed in dripping venom and crimson armor robes. Two Knights strode together from the pools. One of them, Mengoor, was armed with a Hive cleaver but the other, Cra'adug, was like nothing the nameless Thrall had ever seen. His body was filled with starlight and black flame. He seemed to be a projection on reality rather than inhabiting a physical space. The Wizard Kagoor, who rose quickly, was just as the aetherial Knight. Her form was strange and she twitched with joy. Lastly, arose the toweringKknight Thalnok who stood in burning green armor. Savathun began to speak but Thalnok caught her eye. She saw that he imitated Crota in every aspect. She began to laugh again. "Oh my brother how have you allowed this cheap impersonation to serve in your court? Do you desire a constant a reminder of why you needed to push your throne space into this Dreadnought?" Oryx ignored her statements and addressed his court. "High War I have added another to your number. The ogre Krughor will serve me with his legions of accursed thrall at his side." The Hive of his court roared in celebration. Savathun eyed her daughter Balwur for a moment before speaking. "I have given these as well. My numbers have reached an excess and these ones seek to devour the light on newer grounds." Savathun turned and pointed to the dozens of thralls, acolytes, knights and wizards that had come with her. The nameless thrall was among this number. "Consider it a gift in return for that machine that you brought me...Quria. Their might will move from me to you. From court to court dear brother." Oryx's court again roared in approval of more soldiers but Oryx remained silent. He knew his sister well. He knew this gift she gave to be a trap for her nature was such. Savathun was bound to cunning and could not escape it. After Savathun had departed, Oryx addressed the High War and their new arrivals. "You are the soldiers of my court. Your purpose is thus; to fuel our tireless crusade against the light and to feed my vanquisher worm with your spoils. You will fight for your king and accept the challenge of all who seek to face me. All of the light that you take, all of the violence that you cause, and all of the death that you cause will be tithed to me." Oryx left his court to resume his time communing with the Deep. The Hive of his court ventured to their battle ground but the nameless Thrall had gone. It slipped away silently into the bowels of the Dreadnought. Now was the time to begin its mission. Now was the time to find Oryx's secret blight and feast upon it to prove its worth.