[url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/250301867/0/0]Table of Contents[/url] Keis skidded to a halt, face-to-face with a pack of bloodthirsty Fallen clad in the banners of House Winter. They blocked the road in front of him, roaring as they prepared their weapons to execute the Risen standing before them. Keis didn't bother looking for an escape route. The alien scavengers were too close and had caught him in the middle of the street, too far from the shelter of the buildings. He and his Ghost both knew that they couldn't make it to safety in time. So Keis did the only thing he could. The Exo slung his arm out, launching a small orb of Void Light at the Fallen. The scavengers -startled by the strange projectile- attempted to scramble out of the grenade's path, but it hit the ground amongst them and erupted in a storm of explosions. One of them was unlucky enough to be caught by the blasts, and was instantly disintegrated while the others recoiled in fear. Making use of the chaos he had created, Keis surged into the medley. His fist connected with a Dreg's face, snapping the surprised victim's head back with a sickening crack. The carcass fell, but Keis was immediately met by a Vandal that advanced on him, harrying with a two-pronged spear. The Risen backpedaled, narrowly dodging a thrust, but the Vandal swung the pole-arm to the side. The sharpened edge bit into Keis’ armor, not hitting hard enough to wound him but making him stumble. That opening was all the Vandal needed, and it retracted its weapon then lunged forward. The spear punched through Keis’ stomach and Exo fell. The Vandal didn’t relent, readjusting its grip on its weapon and using all its strength to drive the pole down. Keis was pinned against the ground as the pronged blade dug into his body. He could only watch as a second Vandal crept around its companion, holding the scope of a rifle up to its eye and taking careful aim at Keis’ head. Keis thrashed against his captor, but was completely helpless. A blue glow emanated from the soulless gaze of the rifle’s barrel as a charge built inside. Then the air snapped and a blue bolt of energy struck Keis’ head. Keis went limp and the red lights of his eyes flickered out as he died. The second Vandal let out a guttural laugh, and its companion removed its spear from the corpse. They spoke to each other with harsh clicks and hisses, stepping closer to their victim and kneeling over him. Keis’ Ghost flashed into existence, startling the aliens as it quickly scanned its charge. Keis was wreathed in blue light and the enraged Vandals reached for the Ghost. The Ghost yelped as it was caught in the grip of a clawed hand. The rifle-wielding Vandal clicked its mandibles together, drawing its prize closer with a satisfied chirr. Keis’ gloved hand shot up, gripping the Vandal’s wrist. Terrified by the crushing vise of the previously-dead Exo, the Vandal released its hold on the Ghost. The tiny machine vanished in a haze. Keis channeled Light through his touch, and the Vandal only had time to shriek before it dissolved into a cloud of purple wisps. The other Vandal overcame its surprise and tossed aside its spear, abandoning the weapon as it lunged at Keis. It fell on top of him, trying to overpower him with all four arms. Keis ignored the battering limbs and grabbed the alien, rolling over so that he sat on top of it. The Vandal roared defiantly, scratching at the Risen’s armor, but couldn’t throw off the powerful Exo. Keis drew his arm back, then struck his opponent with all his might. Metal splintered as the Vandal’s helmet and head caved in under Keis’ fist, and the alien’s head exploded in a violent spray of gas. The foreign gas blasted into Keis’ face before dissolving in the air, leaving nothing but a stump of neck where the Vandal’s head had previously been. Shaking off his bewilderment, the Exo quickly jumped up to his feet and whirled to face the remaining Fallen. Five stood before him -three Dregs and two Vandals- and they all hurried to unsheathe their blades. He had used up all his tricks and no longer had the advantage of surprise. They were wary of him now and prepared to fight. Keis searched the ground for a weapon, and found the spear laying at his feet. He picked it up and readied himself just in time to face the enemies before him. Each Dreg held a knife and every Vandal a pair of swords, all crackling with electricity. "Those look dangero-" his Ghost began, but cut off with a squeal when two of the Dregs charged, eager for the glory of killing him. Keis jammed the spear into the first cutthroat’s chest. Releasing the weapon rather than wasting time pulling it out of the dying Dreg, the Exo ducked and drove his heel upward in a kick that sent the second tumbling away. But the last three Fallen had only acted slightly slower than the first two, and they quickly replaced their dead comrades. Keis whirled and slugged an attacking Vandal, then continued the movement to scare away the Dreg. The last Vandal hacked at the Risen, but Keis caught its forearm before it could slice him. The Vandal tried tugging loose, but Keis pulled himself in and elbowed it in the chest. The other Vandal returned and cut at Keis, rending through his armor and his back. Ignoring the injury, the Exo pried the crackling blade from his captive and sliced back to ward off the Vandal and Dreg behind him. The captive Vandal wrenched its wrist away and shoved Keis. Using the abrupt movement to his advantage, Keis swung his new weapon and cleaved through the abdomen of the surprised alien. He pivoted and his sword clashed with those of the other Vandal, barely saving him from the wrathful blades. The pair dueled briefly, with Keis desperately blocking the skilled Vandal's onslaught. The Vandal didn’t give Keis the chance to retaliate, driving him back and weathering down his guard with blow after blow. Then the Vandal saw an opening and sheered through it. Keis gasped as the honed blade cut under his chest, digging into his side and scorching the wound with the electricity that coursed over it. The Vandal quickly grabbed his wrists with its extra set of arms, chittering a horrible laugh as it slid its sword out of its prey. Keis ripped his hand loose and attempted to cut down the Vandal, but it locked its second sword with his and skewered him with the other. "Keis!" His Ghost wailed, unable to help its dying companion. The Risen's stolen sword clattered on the ground as he doubled over, and the Vandal emitted a rumbling chuckle. It slowly began to pull its blade back out. The Exo's hands shot up, seizing the Fallen by its shoulders and keeping it from pulling away. The Vandal let out an amused sound, but it quickly changed to a cry of horror as the scavenger was torn apart by the Void, dissolving into wisps of purple light. Keis fell to one knee. He grasped the crackling blade sticking out of his stomach, ignoring the electricity that sparked against his gauntlet as he slid it out and let it fall to the dirt. “That hurt…” he grunted under his breath. “Keis…” his Ghost’s disembodied voice whispered fearfully. Looking up, Keis met the four eyes of the final Dreg. The tip of its dagger was trained on him. Keis didn't move, careful not to spur the cutthroat to action. The Dreg watched him, its eyes narrowed in suspicion. After a long silence, it seemed to decide he was beaten and crept closer. Keis remained where he was, but slowly slid his hand over the ground, reaching for the Vandal's discarded sword beside him. The Dreg stopped in front of him and raised its knife to deliver the killing blow. Acting quickly, Keis snatched up the sword and stabbed it into the Dreg's belly. The alien pirate screeched in pain as it fell. Keis was left without enemies to fight. Everything became still, and the Exo let out a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness it’s over!” His Ghost gasped, materializing in front of its charge. It scanned him with a beam of light, healing his wounds as it spoke. Rejuvenated, the Risen stood, inspecting the carnage of the battle. “We need to hurry,” the Ghost bobbed in front of him, looking around, “The rest will be- KEIS!” Electricity crackled behind Keis, and he spun to face the sound. The air sizzled as active camouflage gave way, revealing the massive form of a Fallen Captain bringing its mighty blades straight down at Keis’ head.