Delta stood at the top of the staircase staring down into the darkness of the vault below. “Lila,” he called. His little companion materialized next to him, weakly bobbing in the air. Delta gently took hold of her shell so that she would not have to exert herself. “Are you able to light the way?” “I will manage,” she replied as her single eye brightened, illuminating the path ahead. Kitokai marched up next to them and peered into the vault. “The internal lighting seems to be malfunctioning. Danger probable. I suggest caution.” Delta nodded, then turned to the two comrades behind him, who were marveling at the waterfall and the craftsmanship of the vault. “I’m going in!” he shouted over the cascading falls. “Follow close behind and stay sharp!” Alice gave him a thumbs up and followed suit, while Eran carefully brought up the rear, keeping a close eye on the riverbank. Once he was sure they were not followed, he leapt down after his companions. The company proceeded down the stairs at a restricted pace while Lila lit the way. As they neared the end of the steps, where a large hallway stretched forward, a loud thud resounded throughout the vault. Delta looked around in alarm, but Kito held up his robotic hand for an explanation. “Not to worry. The sound you just heard was the entrance closing.” Alice put a hand on her holstered weapon nervously. “A-Are we trapped down here?” “Affirmative,” said the frame. “The exterior door uses the waterfall as a separate energy source to maintain security, however it seems that interior power has failed, which is necessary to open the vault from the inside.” “That’s one hell of a design flaw,” said Eran worriedly. “It was intentional,” said Kito. “This vault was designed by Lord Shaxx to keep people out, or in if necessary. Two power sources were essential.” Alice grabbed her arm protectively, becoming visibly disturbed. “We can restore the power, right? I don’t do well in dark spaces with no way out.” Delta finally spoke up. “I do not think you lead us here to die, Kito. There must be a way to restore the power. What is the second energy source?” Kito’s metallic head twitched. “My protocols forbid me from saying until we reach the central chamber. You will have to see for yourself.” Delta eyed him curiously. “Very well. Come on. Shaxx went through all the trouble to lead us here. The least we can do is figure out why.” The others nodded in agreement and followed Delta once more down the blackened hallway, revealed by Lila’s efforts. Before long, they arrived at a smaller set of double wooden doors, barricaded by a thick iron bar. Delta motioned to Eran and the two went to grasp either end, lifting the bar from its resting place and tossing it aside with a ringing clatter. Their way no longer obstructed, Alice stepped forward and placed her hands on the doors, pushing them inward to reveal the next room. Delta squinted in surprise as natural light invaded his optics. The chamber before them was a stone-carved circle, supported by thick steel beams that had become corroded with time. Around the walls hung a series of torn red banners with the emblem of a phoenix in their center, the symbol of Shaxx and the crucible. Above the chamber was a large dome, made of the same stone and steel as everything else, but at its top, the ceiling was blown out. Through the ragged hole, daylight pierced the darkness, illuminating an object in the center of the chamber. Protruding from a thick stone slab, gleaming in the natural beams of light, was a single broadsword with an elegantly crafted gold hilt. In the center of its crossguard, a white gem glowed with a heavenly iridescence. Alice held out her hand in the direction of the sword. “What is this feeling?” she whispered. “Is that… Light?” Kitokai simply nodded in confirmation and marched down towards the sword. “This is the Generator, an edge forged as both a weapon and an energy source.” Delta nodded in understanding. “That gem. It’s a shard of the Traveler!” An excitement grew within him, but some doubt lingered. Alice claimed to feel it, but he himself felt nothing. Alice ogled the gorgeous blade. “the Generator. This has to be it. This has to be what Shaxx sent me to find!” “So,” said Eran, approaching the sword, “if this is an energy source, then it is self-sustaining?” Kito shook his mechanical head. “Negative. Its connection to the Traveler would supply it with Light, but now that the connection is severed, its energy supply is limited. Right now, it remains in conservation mode. If you wish to use it, the sword must be removed from its pedestal.” “Seems simple enough,” said Eran, suddenly grasping the hilt. Kito lifted a hand in warning. “Wait-” It was too late. The crystal burst with a wave of light which sent Eran flying backwards, landing on the hard, stone floor with a thud, groaning. Alice rushed over and helped him up. “Are you okay?” Eran shrugged her off and rubbed his head. “I’m fine. Kito, what happened?” The frame crossed its metal arms as if in a scolding mood. “My explanation was not yet finished. The power infused into this sword makes it a powerful weapon of Light. As such, only guardians can wield it.” Eran grumbled something to himself and walked off in frustration to inspect the rest of the vault. Delta let Lila float in the air and stepped towards the sword as all the pieces finally fell into place. In their darkest hour, when the Light of the Traveler had been taken from them, what better way to fight back than to wield a weapon with its own supply of Light? Shaxx had made a contingency plan, and now was the time to use it. The exo grasped the hilt of the sword and lifted with all his might. The sword did not budge. His confusion allowed the blade to catch him off guard. Another wave of energy burst from the crystal, tossing him backwards, his metal body scraping against the stone floor. Alice rushed over to Delta, who groaned as he sat up. The Titan took hold of his only hand and lifted him to his feet. “I don’t understand,” she said. “Delta’s a Warlock. Why can’t he remove the sword?” Kitokai looked the exo up and down with his optical lenses. “Because he is no longer a guardian.” The room fell silent as Alice and Lila turned to look at Delta, Kito’s words sinking in. Alice slowly shook her head. “But… does that mean I too am…” “No,” said the frame. “Your susceptibility to the light remains untouched.” “Then why?!” Delta let out a long sigh and put a hand to his empty arm socket. His fearful suspicious had come true. Alice was still lost. “He has a ghost, doesn’t he? Why can’t he take up the sword?” “This is indeed peculiar,” said Kito. “Ghosts are the channel through which Light is given to guardians. If Delta has no channel, then that means-” Delta held up his hand, stopping the frame’s deduction. “It’s alright Kito. I can take it from here.” He glanced at Lila, making eye contact. She bobbed in the air, telling him it was okay to proceed. The exo turned to Alice. “You see, Lila is not my ghost.” The Titan stared at the Warlock and his mismatched ghost, her mind running at full speed. “Then… that means…” Delta nodded somberly. “This confirms it. My ghost is dead.” [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/251354777]Part 2[/url] [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/224417569?page=0&sort=0&showBanned=0&path=1]The Hub[/url]