The Legend of the Iron Lords: Episode Three: "Breaking of Alliances"

[b]Episode Three[/b] [b][url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/103939962/0/0/1]Episode One[/url][/b] Saladin and his best division of Guardians ran deeper into the City. Low buildings gave way to smaller shops and apartments. Trees and gardens were replaced by alleys and cart vendors. The great river of a road grew clogged and choked with the flotsam of a hundred transports and pedestrians, dozens of servant robotic frames and the occasional automobile. Every time Saladin wandered into these parts, he was more amazed. The City was vast, immense. Seas of people, forests of buildings, roads wide as rivers. There was the sound of clinking metal and people shouting, the smell of perfume and sweat and garbage and spices. Voices bargained and fought. Foot traffic parted before him, most realizing he bore the mark of Lord Radegast. They knew he was on a mission. Pillars of black smoke stained the clouds and the flames grew faster, still miles and miles away. It appeared the distant fire didn’t faze the crowds doing their business. “What do you plan on doing?” asked his subordinate, Gwen, trying to keep up. “Whatever is going on, it’s none of our business. You’re meddling in the affairs of Perun. You should consult with our lord, first.” Saladin grunted. “The Warlock is moving in on Gheleon’s territory, which is neutral ground. Something must be done. It is our duty to make sure the Lords do not fall into all-out war.” “It might be too late for that.” The streams of people began to thin, then dried up completely the closer the sound of gunfire came. Innocent civilians littered the streets. Soon, Gheleon’s burnt, hollow Tower loomed above. It used to gleam bright as the sun massaged its walls, but now its windows and balconies were streaked with thick ash and smoldering embers. Perun’s Guardians moved around the flaming husk, clashing with another force, with most garbed in the same golden livery. Only one ruler had his soldiers wear the same armor. Timur. The rest belonged to Felwinter, if he discerned the emblems correctly. Saladin clenched his fists. Timur had used the Fallen attack as a distraction to take Gheleon’s land. It seemed Perun had not allowed Timur to gain another foothold in the City, which resulted in this skirmish. A burst of flame launched out of the Tower’s highest balcony. The once-beautiful building was no husk after all. Guardians fought within its highest levels. Saladin’s helmet zoomed in on the battle. Perun stood alone, battling a host of ill-trained enemies who didn’t understand the true power of an Iron Lord. Perun, a Sunsinger who had bent away another secret from the Traveler, had figured out a way to control fire. With every wave of his palm, a golden blaze from the sun incinerated the Guardians around him. Even their Ghosts. What Saladin mistook as smoke was actually ash. [i]Call incoming from Radegast[/i], said his Ghost, phantom tongue trembling. [i]Put him on.[/i] Radegast’s booming voice filled his head. [i]Saladin![/i] [i]Yes, my lord?[/i] [i]I’m no fool[/i], said his master with quiet severity. [i]You’ve found yourself somewhere around Gheleon’s Tower? Am I right?[/i] He lowered his voice further.[i] It is too late for Perun. He is a dead man. Fall back. We have other things to worry about right now. [/i] [i]What’s more important than keeping the peace? [/i] Radegast snorted. [i]Efrideet is under attack by Silimar. The man is convinced she is the one who killed Gheleon and he has infiltrated her Tower. Don’t bother coming back, go straight to Efrideet’s. [/i] [i]I understand. [/i] Saladin watched Perun strike down another fireteam, but Radegast’s prophecy proved true. The Iron Lord’s chest exploded. He collapsed and his head bounced against the ground as his Ghost rose from his body. Felwinter placed his boot on the Warlock’s back and aimed his shotgun. Another round of pellets destroyed Perun’s little machine. *** By the time Saladin arrived at Efrideet’s Tower, which was at the other end of the City, the battle was mostly over. Bodies were strewn about like broken dolls. The smell of blood and burning hair hung thick within the building. Shattered pieces of Ghosts lay on the ground. Silimar had one of the smallest armies compared to the other Iron Lords and the bodies of his Guardians made up most of the dead. Saladin made his way to the top of the Tower. He heard three of them long before he saw them. Their voices were just murmurs, the distant music that conversation makes when it’s too dim for words. The voices were angry. “Stand down!” roared one. Saladin turned a corner and entered Efrideet’s gallery. Silimar was surrounded by a host of Guardians, including Efrideet and Radegast. The Warlock’s skin was sallow and his bones pressed tight against his skin, whose face was a mask with burning eyes, whose name meant rage. “Why do you defend a murderer, Radegast?” asked Silimar. Radegast frowned. “Because,” his voice rolled out slowly, like dark honey, “you have no proof. You base your claims on rumors that rose from your own damn men! You attacked a fellow Iron Lord in her own Tower, killed her Guardians, and contributed to the downfall of our alliance. Your sentence is death. “The woman killed Gheleon!” Efrideet scoffed. “I did no such thing. Gheleon—” “[i]Silence[/i]! Your mouth dirties his name!” Radegast raised his firearm and Silimar screamed, his face a livid red. He teleported, his shadow dark, blown away like smoke upon the wind, and missed the bullets. Silimar appeared behind Efrideet. She moved away, faster than Saladin thought possible, missing a Void-frothed hand that would have swiped clear through her back. The Bladedancer launched her spear and impaled Silimar to the wall. Silimar’s sunken eyes smoldered like half-hidden coals. Then he died. The Warlock’s Ghost wasn’t even halfway out of his body before Efrideet sliced it down the middle, effectively ending the man. Within a span of a day, two Iron Lords had fallen. Saladin knew it was only going to get worse, especially with Timur and Felwinter active and allied. [i]Urgent call incoming from Private Hasani[/i], said his Ghost. “What now?” rumbled Radegast, who was receiving the same message. Static suddenly rippled through Saladin’s head. [i]My Lord Radegast, an unknown assailant made their way into your private chambers. Most of the guards were killed. You need to come back to the Tower immediately.[/i] The man swallowed and his throat made a dry click. [i]Moira has been murdered.[/i] [b][url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/105489558/0/0/1]EPISODE TWO[/url][/b] [b][url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/109080312/0/0/1]EPISODE FOUR[/url][/b] [b][url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/109980399/0/0/1]EPISODE FIVE[/url][/b] [b][url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/100362914]MY DESTINY FAN FICTION ARCHIVE[/url][/b] [b][url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Clan/Forum/823422]JOIN GROUP FOR FAN FICTION UPDATES[/url][/b]