[url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/254979692/0/0]Table of Contents[/url]
Light explodes from Olly’s Ghost as its shell shatters. It moves in all directions like a wave, passing straight through our bodies. Every person and alien on the battlefield pauses in the aftermath. The Titan is dead.
Beladona‘s scream pierces the silence as her knife does the same to a Dreg’s throat. She tears through the Fallen, killing anything that dares get between her and her companion’s corpse. But she’s too late to help him. Elta and I are left alone. A new terror constricts my chest. I’ve never even heard stories of Guardians dying, but the Fallen just murdered one of our immortal protectors. They’re supposed to be unstoppable. What hope do I have of surviving this if even they can’t? Are we all going to die here?
Something grabs the back of my collar. I scream and thrash, imagining alien fangs and blades about to cut me to pieces. I don’t want to die!
“Hey!” Hendal’s voice barks, “It’s me!”
Elta and I are brought up to our feet, then the Titan drags us behind him, “You have to run.”
I look out at the field of snow before us, then to the Fallen and Guardians fighting behind. Beladona is still fighting through the pirate crew while Elena faces off against their Kell, dancing over the snow to avoid the flaming shrapnel being spit from his massive rifle. “But-“
“JUST RUN!” Hendal roars. Electricity jumps from his hands and stabs through my shoulder as he shoves us forward, “RUN NOW!”
I stumble away, watching the Titan turn to face the battle. Arc Light crackles around him, blinding to look at. He lunges at the nearest pirates and lightning strikes where his fists hit the ground, annihilating everything around him. Next to the jumpship I see the Ruthless Kell turn its head away from Elena. Hendal barrels straight at Draksis.
“Sal,” Elta urges, gripping my sleeve, “We’ve gotta run!”
I tear my eyes away and follow Elta’s lead. My feet sink in the snow with each step, slowing me and sapping at what little strength I have left, but I keep moving. Lightning strikes again. Then again. All other sounds are muffled by Hendal’s wrath, and the howls of the Fallen are cut off as he reduces them to dust. I don’t dare to stop and see what’s happening, but it sounds like the Guardians are winning. A sob bursts from my mouth with a spark of newfound hope. They’re going to win. We can survive this.
The sound of metal striking metal rings across the plain. The impact is deep, like a massive drum. At first I think another Skiff has arrived. Then the sound repeats itself. This time I’m sure it’s not a Skiff. I force my pumping feet to stutter to a halt, sending up a spray of ice. Elta does the same. We turn as a third impact hits our ears.
The Kell of Winter pulls its fist away from the ruined City Hawk. Even from this distance I can clearly see the Kell and the warped crater it’s left in the ship’s hull. My blood freezes in my veins, and I feel sick again. Draksis smashes his fist into the Hawk one more time. Just in case -I think- as a precaution. I can’t look away.
“No...” Elta croaks, on the verge of tears. Bile rises in my throat and I have to fight to keep my knees from buckling underneath me.
Satisfied, the Kell steps away from the Hawk and opens its claws. Hendal’s broken body slips from the giant’s grip and falls to the ground.
-
Ruthless Bump