Table of Contents https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/225386550/0/0 • • • "I swear, they're timing it," Blanc insists. "It's possible," Hae allows, "But, even if they were, I'm sure it's Yvan's doing. Welkine probably hasn't noticed." "To be fair," Ilya defends, "Welkine's too busy getting killed to notice." "Why would he even do that?" Hae presses, "What's his plan? It doesn't seem to be working." "Maybe he's stalling?" Ilya guesses. "No, that would just help us," Blanc deduces, "The match is almost over. He probably knows he can't get enough kills in so little time." "You mean ANY kills," Ilya corrects, "I know Welkine is kind of dragging them down, and that's okay. Nothing wrong with being bad in the Crucible. But they haven't gotten a single kill yet." "Maybe he's trying to annoy us so we'll come out," Hae tries. "I'm sure Welkine will get tired of this before we do," Ilya sighs. "Pay attention," Blanc calls, "Six. Five. Four. Three. Two. One." Red flashes on my radar, and I lean out of the gaping hole in the wall. Shooting Welkine in the face. He tumbles on the pavement. "He's even coming from the same direction," Blanc analyzes, "Its been the same every time." "Well, Yvan's got something planned," Ilya ponders. She switches places with me, leaning against the wall next to the opening. I stand next to a column, watching the front entrance to the chapel. We wait patiently. After enough time has passes, Blanc begins counting down again, "Ten. Nine. Eight. Se-" She cuts off with a surprised gasp when my radar lights up, indicating that someone is at the back end of the building. I whip around to face the intruder, and the sunlight filtering through the holes in the roof glints off of steel sailing through the air. I tilt my head to the side, and the knife stabs into the old column, sprinkling my helmet with small bits of stone. Yvan curses, diving behind the pillar closest to Ilya. I start to circle around, keeping my distance and attempting to flush him out. Yvan springs out at Ilya, but she unleashes a volley of bullets into him. He falls to her feet. "Any last words?" Ilya challenges. "Yeah," Yvan wisecracks, "Go jump in an acid lake." Ilya punches the back of his head, expelling a discharge of Void energy. His body disintegrates, and Ilya comments, "You know, sometimes he's actually kind of fun to be around when he's enjoying himself." "YAAAAAAAH!" A triumphant yell bursts from the hole by Ilya, and Welkine flies in, glowing red and with his fists held high, shining with Ark energy. Ilya cries out, sounding more annoyed than distressed, as he slams down onto the ground next to her. Blue electricity erupts in a sphere around him, completely eradicating Ilya. I'm suddenly bathed in red Light, as if set on fire. The Light burns inside me, filling me with energy. I lift my hands, flexing them and feeling my newfound power. Tendrils of Void energy dance over my palm, and I look up at Welkine. Paris is hovering next to him, but vanishes and is replaced by Yvan, freshly revived. Welkine sees me and freezes. I take a step towards them and Yvan ducks behind the column again. Welkine jolts his hands up, letting a gun take form in them as he chokes out, "Light protect me!" I bound forward as the weapon takes form and use my Light. I dissolve into nothing in an instant and rematerialize directly in front of him, hanging in the air. He only has time to yelp before I smash my foot into his helmet. His head snaps into the wall, violently bouncing back as I land on my other foot. I waste no time and put a bullet in his head. I begin to turn, but a knife smashes into my side, biting into my armor and abdomen. Gripping the handle, I carefully slide the knife out and face Yvan, who is standing where I had been a moment before. "Traveler, Keis," he grouches, "You could at least pretend to flinch." I fire at him, but he evades and shoots back at me. I roll towards him, and he closes the distance to hit me before I can act, but I come out of the roll and jump straight up. He reels back defensively as I flip forwards, swinging my legs in an overhead blow. My heels hit nothing but air as he Blinks, reappearing directly above me. I land on my feet, sidestepping. Yvan lands next to me, and I slug him. As he collapses, the red glow emanating from me dies and I feel normal again. "Looks like your teammate revived," Yvan observes, starting to stand, "Now-" I gather Void energy, forming a glowing orb in my palm, and toss it at Yvan. He cuts off, rolling to avoid the flurry of explosions. I jump at him as he rises, falling back to a horizontal position and kicking my legs out at him. My boots collide with his helmet, sending him tumbling back. I land on my hands and toes, quickly hopping up and leveling my hand cannon at him. "A drop kick?," Yvan remarks wearily from his downed position, "Really? Why you gotta go and show off like that?" I shoot him, extinguishing his red glow. "Great work," Blanc compliments, "Go find Ilya, before they can catch one of you buy surprise." • • • "I still had fun," Welkine says, "My Fist of Havoc was awesome! And I got more kills than Yvan!" "One kill doesn't get you bragging rights," Yvan grumbles. "Better than zero," Welkine slights. Yvan grabs the collar of his chest plate, pulling him closer, and growls, "Don't forget whose plan got you that kill, welp." "My name's Welkine..." Welkine corrects weakly. "We need to get going guys," Null rushes, "We've used up our allotted time." "Guess it's time to split up," Quintel observes, "Happy Crimson Days, everyone." "Not so fast," Nat interjects, grabbing his arm, "It's Crimson Days. You're on my time, and we're gonna do what I want all day." "Uh... I-I-," Quintel stammers. "See ya guys!" Nat farewells, releasing Quintel and transmatting away. Quintel's Ghost materializes and says, "Bye guys." "W-wait!" Quintel yelps, but is helpless as his Ghost teleports him after Nat. "Those crazy kids," Ilya laughs. "I've got nothing to do today, if anyone wants to hang out," Null offers. "Sure," Ilya accepts. "Eh," Yvan huffs, "I know a good bar." "We'd love to come," Blanc says. "I actually have plans with a friend already," Welkine apologizes, "I had a great time, guys. Bye." He transmats, leaving the rest of us together. "I didn't realize he had friends..." Yvan remarks. "Well," Null moves on, "Let's go before Shaxx kicks us out." • • •