[b]The Tower Part 2[/b] Cayde had led Delta to a private elevator and out the Tower doors into the City. Delta’s ghost had explained that although the Last City’s people lived very differently from the center to the outer walls, even the poorest were in good spirits because of the legendary Guardians that protected them. Delta could see it in the children that he passed who giggled with joy upon seeing him. He could see it in the men and women that glanced at him gratefully while they attended to the duties of everyday life. Delta had done nothing to deserve this kind of respect, and he suddenly felt the need to earn it and prove his worth. Cayde sensed Delta’s feelings and moved to reassure him. “Don’t worry,” he said, putting a hand on Delta’s shoulder. “I have no doubt you will become a legend among the Guardian ranks. You have a sort of confidence and sense of duty in your step. You remind me of one of my good friends. He slayed the Hive god Oryx AND stopped the SIVA plague single-handedly! You’ll get your chance. Most Guardians do.” Delta appreciated Cayde’s confidence in him. Although it was unwarranted, it seemed genuine. “Here we are,” said Cayde as he slowed in front of a small hole-in-the-wall shop to the right. “It doesn’t get any better than this!” He led Delta into the shop to a booth in the very back. As the two got settled a short man in an apron approached them from behind the counter. “Cayde! Good to see you again my friend!” the man said, clearly ecstatic to see his favorite Hunter. “Reggie!” replied Cayde. “How are the wife and kids?” “Oh, excellent as always! What can I get for you?” Cayde looked at Delta for a brief second and made a decision. “Two Tower specials, my good man!” Reggie nodded. “Right away, Cayde!” he said, and disappeared into the Kitchen. Cayde laughed a little. “So funny story: I came in here one day trying to convince old Reggie there that Guardians have to eat twice as much as normal people because, you know, why not? And I kid you not, the next day the guy introduces the Tower special, which is your average bowl of ramen, but TWICE as big!” Cayde laughed again. “Of course as the inspiration for this new dish, it became my favorite.” Before Delta could say anything, Reggie emerged from the kitchen with two enormous bowls of ramen and set them in front of the two Guardians. “Here you are,” said Reggie. “I assume I am to bill the Tower as usual my friend?” Cayde nodded, already shoving a spoonful of ramen into his mouth. Reggie smiled. “Enjoy!” Reggie went back into the kitchen while Delta watched Cayde devour the Tower special. Perhaps Guardians ate twice as much after all. Delta scooped up some ramen with his spoon and was about to eat it when he realized something. Putting his spoon back in the bowl, Delta turned his attention back to Cayde who was still furiously eating. “How…?” started Delta. Cayde stopped and looked at Delta. “How what?” Delta shifted uncomfortably in his seat as the words came to him. It seemed like a stupid question, but he had to ask. “Well… we are robots aren’t we? Machines? How are you eating all that food?” Cayde’s eyes widened as if this was the first time he ever thought about it. “You’re right,” he said. “I don’t even have a stomach. Funny how that works. See? That’s why you’re a Warlock.” With that said he shoveled another spoonful of ramen into his mouth. Delta didn’t find this at all assuring, and decided to leave his ramen untouched. He had much bigger things on his mind. They sat in silence for a minute while Cayde practically inhaled his ramen. He quickly finished and threw down his spoon in triumph. “So, now that you’ve experienced some of the City and the Tower, not to mention that military base and those nasty Fallen, I’m sure you must have a lot of questions.” Delta got excited at the prospect of finally getting some answers, but he wasn’t sure where to start. “Um… okay. Well, I understand that I am a Guardian, brought back from the dead to defend the Last City from the Darkness, but… what is the Darkness? How am I going to help? What am I? What is my purpose? Where did I come from? Why can’t I remember anything?” “Whoa slow down there slick!” interrupted Cayde. “Look, I don’t like to admit it, but I don’t know everything. I know that’s probably not what you want to hear, but there are some things I can help you with." Cayde shifted in his seat as he began to explain. "The Darkness? That’s pretty much everything dark and evil out there that wants to destroy the Traveler and its light. You’d be surprised how many enemies that space ball has made throughout the universe. It’s our job as Guardians to make sure none of those enemies succeed.” “Soon you will be sent out there into the wild to do just that," he said, pointing at Delta. "I don’t know what you’ve heard yet, but reports are coming in that the Fallen are pulling out. All of them. Without any explanation. We need some investigators out there finding answers, and you seem like the investigative sort. I’ll be sure to tell Zavala to put you on the team.” Cayde fidgeted with his spoon as his tone got slightly more serious. “As for yourself and your memory, all I can tell you is that you’re an exo, like me. Most Guardians can’t remember as much as most would like from their past lives, but for us exos it’s even worse. In all likelihood, someone probably wiped your memory completely. It might be out there somewhere waiting for you to retrieve it, or it might not. My point is, if you’re looking for answers to your past, that’s something you will have to go out and find for yourself. That’s what I would do, if I were actually able to leave the City.” In that moment Cayde received a transmission and put his hand to his head. Delta pondered what Cayde had told him while the Hunter listened to the call. If Delta was to find out who he was, he was going to have to track down more information on this Sayyad person his ghost mentioned. Cayde finished his transmission and turned to Delta. “Unfortunately my duties as the Hunter Vanguard are calling me away. I’m sorry for cutting this short but I have to go. I hope I was of some help to you.” “You were,” replied Delta. “Thank you.” “Sure thing partner,” said Cayde. The Hunter got up from his seat and started to walk away, but paused. He turned his attention to Delta’s untouched bowl of ramen with a ravenous look in his eyes. “You gonna finish that?” he asked. “No,” replied Delta as he gladly handed the bowl over. “Thanks. Good luck Delta.” Delta nodded and Cayde proceeded to walk out of the shop, but not before giving Reggie a kind farewell. “Hey Reggie! Can I get this ramen to-go please?” The Hunter soon left, leaving Delta deep in his own thoughts. [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Clan/Post/1371758/224909595/0/0]Chapter 4[/url] [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/224417569?page=0&sort=0&showBanned=0&path=1]The Hub[/url]