So if this one seems to end suddenly it's because what was originally going to be part two was way too long. It only let me copy a half of it in, so now I've broken it up. The tunnels the humans had dug beneath London during the Golden Age were surprisingly well suited for a Hive nest. Therás was very pleased with the progress she had made. The few mother's she had brought with her had expanded the forces of the Hive significantly. Especially given the fact Akûn's methods for promotion were effective in this situation. All Hive in London were ordered to duel someone of their status. Upon birth, upon promotion, and upon the day. Every day the Hive grew in the number of thrall, acolytes, knights, ogres, and wizards they had. Each duel one Hive was lost, but another raised through the Sword Logic. Each becoming closer and closer to the strength they would need to kill every guardian in the City. To end humanity, and devour the Traveller. Maybe then Akûn would become one of the Hive pantheon. Therás thought this last thought with bitterness, she was the one doing the work. Akûn should never receive the strength to become one of the likes of Oryx when she was doing the work. Yes, when this was done she would sever Akûn's tribute from her broods. She would take that tribute, and kill Akûn with her newfound strength. Finally she would command herself, but not yet. Keep it close, keep it secret, she told herself. She knew if Akûn figured it out he would kill her and give control to another, more complacent, Hive. Maybe Entaur, the brute he was he definitely had enough cunning to invade the City. He had just done so two hours ago with only twenty knights. He failed of course, as expected by everyone… including himself. But in doing so he had delivered a message. Humanity's Last City could be breached, right under the noses of guardians. No doubt scaring those living in the City, leaving them nervous. Exactly as commanded by Akûn.   "Therás, Akûn demands that you return to your duties. There is a time to be lost in thought, that time is not now."   "Of course Entaur, tell Akûn I apologise."   "Ha! Apologise, you never really do. He will be here in a week, tell him yourself when he gets here."   "If you don't have a way to contact him then how did he know I was absent."   "Perhaps he has not entrusted you with as much control as you had thought."   "Perhaps." --------------------------------------------------------------- One Hour Earlier, The Tower.   "Exactly timed with the message. Exactly!" Kryn seemed slightly off balance from the suddenness of their arrival. "I would have thought they would have at least some lead up to an attack on the City."   Darek shifted in his seat, "it does bother me a little that they could afford to launch an attack on the City that quickly."   "It was only twenty knights."   "I know Zach, but it still seems off. Like they weren't trying to damage us."   Kirk entered the room without a sound. Everyone jumped when he spoke, "of course they weren't. Physical damage wasn't their goal. I can see it in your eyes, the way you're sitting, they got inside your head now. Get them out, if you don't they've won."   "Teren said that to me."   Kirk stood there looking at him for a couple seconds. "Then I'd say Teren gave you some good advice. Let's hope he doesn't change his mind. Be a shame if I had to shoot him because he picked up that crazy title again."   "You don't sound like you would be sorry."   "Maybe I wouldn't because he ran around turning people against the City, while calling himself Dredgen Truth. Truth. Think for a moment. What kind of conceited-"   "He's still my friend! Even if he went bad I at least owe it to him to try and help him recover."   Kirk tilted his head, "why?"   "I guess you wouldn't know much about friends. Seeing as you hide your face behind a skull and look at people like they're the target of your next shot." Kirk's eyes took on a strange, almost sad appearance.   "I guess I wouldn't." His voice sounded melancholy, as if remembering something long past. "Either way they're here, above London. And now, as far as we know, below it too. We can't give them the chance to build a nest."   Zach stood up, "I agree, waiting is the biggest mistake we can make right now. Kryn nodded her head but said nothing. She looked as if she were thinking about something.   "I suppose I agree with Kirk on this one, although we differ in other opinions." Darek looked at Kirk with an accusatory glare. "I know a person who could help. Right up Kirk's alley, she likes knives and assassinations. Who knows, maybe we can get Kirk a new friend."   Kirk didn't respond or show any sign he heard Darek. Zach spoke up, "I know a couple people too."   Darek looked suspiciously at Zach, "who?"   "Kana."   "Kana!"   "Yeah, do you have an issue?"   "She's loud and prefers a head on fight. We're probably about to walk into a Hive controlled city and you want to bring along one of the loudest titans you know."   "Hey, Shaxx is louder."   "Not the, one. Who else?"   "Silas."   "The Silas who sits at the desk where Teren's being kept. The one who hasn't seen combat for an unknown amount of time. That Silas?"   "Yep."   "Great."   "He's not who you would expect. Right now he's in a… tame mood."   "What do you mean by that?"    Zach grinned, "you'll see." ---------------------------------------------------------------   "Silas, we need you to help us."   "I thought you "need me to help you" here."   "Not anymore."   "Why now Zach? I was decommissioned for a reason."   "Because your old fireteam had more to do with this than you told us."   Silas laughed for half a minute, "how'd you figure that one out?" Silas's voice had taken on a different tone. It was quiet but had a strange resonance to it.   "I did some digging. Your fireteam was killed by a Hive ascendant. One that had been previously unknown, then classified for reasons unknown. Now he shows up on our doorstep and has one of his knights kick in our front door."   "And the Vanguard still doesn't declassify his files. Heh, typical. Well, they are hiding something from you. My fireteam was killed by this ascendant. His name is Akûn, and he laughed the entire time. He laughed while killing the best friends I ever had. Then he- he-"   "Taunted you."   "In indescribable ways. I would never tell even a veteran like you what he did to scar me. It would terrify you, it nearly drove me completely insane. There was nothing my ghost could do about it either. My mind," he tapped his forehead, "is still scarred. Anytime I think about it, I can hear his laughter. And every time, I vow that one day I'll kill Akûn. Finally wipe that nihilistic smile off his face."   "What's his goal?"   "He will devour the Traveller, cut tribute to Savathûn and Xivu Arath. Then become a god himself, kill the others. He wants nothing other than to be the only Hive god. Then to play games with the other races of the universe. Manipulating them into wars against each other. This game of war he talks about, will encompass everything if he has his way. We would be killing each other right now if he had the power to exert that kind of influence."   "How powerful is he now?"   "I don't know. All I know is that we need to access the Vanguards record on Akûn."   "We? So you're in?"   "Only if we can get that file."   "We'll do our best."   "I know you will, that's why I'm coming." ----------------------------------------------------------------- Same as the last time I welcome any feedback. Whether that be corrections, advice, or something else. The only reason I posted this today instead of Tuesday is because I'm going to be busy. Part III I'm estimating will release around Friday or Saturday.