Note: Words spoken in the Eliksni language are italicized Table of Contents https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/229522482/0/0 The final Minotaur rises, gold with a proud crest and a white bar of light as an eye, followed by yet another unit of Vex. This time they are able to warp into our lines, which are steadily weakening as time passes. Brawls break out as Eliksni and men cut apart Goblins and are hit by bolts of solar energy. Two Goblins and a Hobgoblin tramp around our cover, and holes are punched through two of my subordinates' heads as the Goblins are dismembered. The Hobgoblin is engulfed in an orange vortex as it defends itself. As soon as the shield disappears, Sinekis comes out of nowhere and slashes off the Hobgoblin's head, sending it flying. He brings his second blade around and guts it, turning to us while the lifeless husk collapses. [i]"This is the last protector,"[/i] he indicates the final Minotaur and moves into our shelter, [i]"I believe we are killing the Heart."[/i] "I hope you're right," a man grunts. "Yeah," the man with the goggle-like visor chimes in, "'Cause I'm runnin' real low on ammo. Much longer an-" He stops when Sinekis holds out a hand, offering him a shock pistol. Someone stifles a laugh as they recall the Captain's previous conversation with the man. The man stares at it in silence for a moment, "...Get docked." Despite his words, he accepts the pistol. Sinekis chuckles at his own cleverness and jokes, "Watch your mouth, Dreg. You already have so few arms. I do not believe you could afford to lose them." With nothing else to say, we all fall back into fighting the Vex. The Minotaur hammers us with the help of its lesser drones, but our defenses hold as we overpower them. Soon only the giant remains, thunderously stepping over the scattered pieces of its fallen lookalikes. Its blasts suppress its attackers and leave nothing but scorch marks behind, while its frame deflects bullets and absorbs charges. Its eye maliciously follows anything that moves, guiding its weapon, and tendrils of the Heart's unlight seep from its core. A shock grenade explodes at the Minotaur's feet, staggering it and welcoming a renewed volley from the strike force. The giant finally succumbs to the assault and caves into itself, adding to the wreckage around it. An unsettling writhing sound fills the air, and we look to the Heart. The black mass throbs, condensing and venting bolts of electricity amidst clouds of shadow. A brilliant white light grows at its core, flooding our vision and intensifying until all we can see is white. Our sight returns with a crack that resounds in the distance. The sky is clear and bright, the veil of darkness lifted, and the Heart is gone, leaving behind quickly-dissipating wisps. Petals dance in the air, falling from the gardens atop the maze's walls and down to us. We all gape at the sudden change in our surroundings, taking in the newfound peace. I abandon the relative safety of the scaffoldings and walk out, stopping in the center of the platform among the remains of the Minotaurs. Sunlight glints off of my armor and a petal flutters into my visor before being whisked away by the breeze. I brush some of the blossoms off of my shoulders and turn to inspect the crews. There are many dead, laying motionless with scorched armor and holes burned through their bodies. Those that are lucky enough to be unharmed are helping the wounded, who vary in condition: clutching small afflictions or needing to be carried; groaning or crying out. One Servitor drifts out to meet me, accompanied by a Captain. [i]"We are back on Mars, Vanguard,"[/i] the Captain reports, [i]"Your Commander is calling you back to your House."[/i] ________________________________ [b]Hey, everyone. The next chapter of Survivors will be the end of Vanilla Destiny 1. Exciting, right? (For me, at least) The final chapter is rather short, and I'll post it in a couple days along with a big announcement on what's next. I hope you've enjoyed this series, and thank you for reading![/b]