Helhest/Rising

This article contains information from the Destiny: Rising universe, and is not a part of the established Destiny canon.

Helhest
Biographical information
Other name(s):	The Tech Officer
Species:	Human
Race:	Awoken
Gender:	Female
Hair color:	Blonde
Eye color:	Light blue
Political and military information
Affiliation:	Crows (formerly) Lord Felwinter
Rank:	Iron Wolf
Class:	Lightbearer ( Arc)

"A tech officer hailing from Felwinter Peak, this Awoken woman's past seems to be shrouded in mystery."

Helhest is a Lightbearer risen by Grom, and Lord Felwinter's Iron Wolf. She is a playable character in Destiny: Rising, and first introduced in Season of Daybreak.

Biography

This section is a stub. You can help Destinypedia by expanding it.

Gameplay

Nebula No.9
Specifications
Element:	Arc
Core mechanics:	Ammo Supply Healing Ally Damage Bonus Confinement

Overview

Traits

• Mythic
• Arc
• Support
• Long Range Combat

Weapons

• Bow
• Linear Fusion Rifle

Relic Abilities

Passive

• Data Conversion: When Boosting/Healing Drones buff/heal allies, they also grant the Assisted Calculation effect for 20s. Helhest herself will always have the Assisted Calculation effect.

Signatures

• Rapid Deployment 20.0s

Healing Ally Damage Bonus

Deploys a drone in front of Helhest. Hold the ability button to deploy it at the reticle's position, and cast the ability again to increase the drone's level.

Helhest deploys a drone 5m in front of her. After deployment, the drone will be launched to the target location and hover in the air for 80s. Holding down the button allows Helhest to deploy a drone at the reticle's position, up to 40m away.

There are 2 types of drones: Boosting Drone and Healing Drone. Only 1 of each type can be present at a time. Casting the ability again raises the drones' level, up to a max of Lv.2. There is a cooldown period between upgrades.

Once the Boosting Drone reaches its destination, it unleashes damage-boosting light waves every 1s towards allies within a 10-meter radius, granting them 7.5/10% Ally Damage Bonus for 20s. Once the Healing Drone reaches its destination, it links to all allies within a 10-meter radius, healing them over time for 120/160 health per second.

Drones come with an auto-fire module. Once every 4s, they will fire 1 Arc projectile at a combatant within a 70-meter radius (Helhest can use weapon shots to change the target), dealing 300/400 Arc damage.

Drone will be automatically recalled once they are more than 50m away from Helhest, restoring energy for Rapid Deployment based on their remaining duration and level at the time of recall.

This ability starts with 2 charges.

• Salvo 20.0s

Healing Confinement

Activates Helhest's prosthetic to fire a volley at the reticle's position and gain the Salvo effect, letting shots to combatants or terrain trigger additional volleys.

Helhest activates her prosthetic, launching a volley at the reticle's position and gaining 3 stacks of the Salvo effect, which lets her fire at combatants or terrain to launch another volley.

When the volley is fired, Helhest's prosthetic and all mini drones on the battlefield will fire 1 Arc projectile at the reticle position, exploding on hit and dealing 370 Arc damage to combatants within a 6-meter radius. If the max number of drones haven't been deployed, the Arc projectile fired by the prosthetic will gain a damage bonus, dealing up to an additional 1109.92 Arc damage.

The Arc projectiles her prosthetic launches inflict Confined for 3s when they explode.

The Boosting Drone's Arc projectiles inflict Arc Residue for 3s when they explode.

The Healing Drone will fire a homing healing projectile after a short delay, granting the ally with the lowest health within a 70-meter radius the Arc Recovery effect for 3s.

Super

• Full Firepower 120.0s

Healing

Teleports the Super Drone to the battlefield. The drone will follow Helhest and increase the damage bonus/healing effects of the Boosting Drone/Healing Drone on the field. The Super Drone will continuously attack combatants and heal allies.

Helhest teleports a Super Drone from her base to the battlefield. The drone will follow her for 16s.

While the Super Drone is present, it will increase the damage bonus/healing effects of Boosting Drone/Healing Drone by 300%.

The Super Drone will continuously mark the nearest combatant within a 70-meter radius (Helhest can move the mark by firing her weapons) and fire 20 Arc rockets at them once every 2s. Each rocket deals 200 Arc damage.

Additionally, the Super Drone will link to the ally with the lowest health within range, restoring 2000 health per second.

When the Super Drone is summoned, it will immediately trigger an auto-fire attack from the Boosting Drone/Healing Drone on the field. Afterwards, it will reduce the firing interval of their auto-attacks by 50%.

Relic Traits

• Short-Frequency Activation: Deploying or upgrading a drone increases the damage bonus/healing potency of the Boosting Drone/Healing Drone on the field by 200% for 4s. Repeatedly applying this effect extends the duration. This trait will not take effect while the Super Drone is present.

• Breakneck Collaborator: Allies, including Helhest herself, gain 40% movement speed while within range of a Boosting Drone/Healing Drone. This effect lasts for 8s after leaving the drone's range.

• Highlights: Releasing the Super Drone upgrades the Boosting Drone/Healing Drone present to max level and refreshes their duration. Additionally, any Boosting Drone/Healing Drone deployed during this period will be upgrade to its max level.

Weapon Mastery

• Overclocked Shot

• LV.1: Casting Salvo grants the Overclocked Shot effect for 6s.

• LV.2: Overclocked Shot's additional damage is increased to 22%.

• LV.3: Overclocked Shot's additional damage is increased to 30%.

• LV.4: When Helhest has Salvo stacks, she is also considered to have the Overclocked Shot effect, making Linear Fusion Rifle shots fired reload 1 round from reserves.

• LV.5: Overclocked Shot's additional damage is increased to 40%.

Talent Tree

• Tactical Deployment: Rapid Deployment now has 3 charges. When charges are at the max and Helhest deploys a Boosting Drone/Healing Drone, the drone will be directly upgraded to its maximum level.

• Independent Computation: While there are combatants inflicted with Helhest's own Data Analysis present, the Encrypted Network automatically generates 1 Data Fragment every 15s.

• Precise Guidance: Overclocked Shot's damage is increased by an additional 20%.

• Cost-Effectiveness: Reduces the Data Fragment quantity needed to airdrop a Heavy ammo brick to 16.

• Infinite Firepower: The number of Salvo stacks granted after casting the Salvo ability is increased to 6.

• Experienced Elite: Boosting Drone/Healing Drone's max level is increased to 3. Lv.3 Boosting Drone/Healing Drone's effective radius is increased by 50%. Additionally, when firing weapons to direct Lv.3 Boosting Drone/Healing Drone to fire volleys, they will deal an additional instance of Arc damage equal to 50% of the fired weapon's damage.

Files

"And my vanquisher will read that book, seeking the weapon, and they will come to understand me, where I have been and where I was going."The following is a verbatim transcription of an official document for archival reasons. As the original content is transcribed word-for-word, any possible discrepancies and/or errors are included.

Nebula No.9

"A yearning for the vast unknown fuels the fires of my courage."

Gift

When she was first revived on Felwinter Peak, Helhest's right arm was merely a common prosthetic. After Felwinter brought her back, he locked himself in his lab for weeks, and when he finally emerged, he presented her with the successful ninth iteration of his new design, Nebula No.9.

Now truly whole, the Lightbearer Helhest could begin her journey.

Helhest

"A tech officer hailing from Felwinter Peak, this Awoken woman's past seems to be shrouded in mystery."

Name: Helhest

Race: Awoken

Revival Location: Felwinter Peak

Ghost: Grom

Relic: Nebula No.9

Helhest was reborn as a Lightbearer on Felwinter Peak several decades ago and found by the mountain's namesake. Her outstanding technical prowess led Lord Felwinter to appoint her as his Iron Wolf, and she has loyally followed him ever since.

Helhest has witnessed humanity's helpless suffering far too many times while working with Lord Felwinter. That strife stirred compassion within her, but it also gave her a clear goal: even if her power is limited, Helhest will give her all to bring humanity together and build a new era.

Grom

Helhest's most dependable and stable deputy, she trusts and supports her Lightbearer unconditionally.

Diary

"And my vanquisher will read that book, seeking the weapon, and they will come to understand me, where I have been and where I was going."The following is a verbatim transcription of an official document for archival reasons. As the original content is transcribed word-for-word, any possible discrepancies and/or errors are included.

Traces

I followed the coordinates, and they brought me back here.

Felwinter Peak seldom sees visitors. With nobody cleaning the wilds here, one can still see traces of a battle. But time, amusingly fair to all, had blurred them.

Grom swayed gently in the air, but didn't say a word. She just silently followed behind me.

I found that ship on the cliffside, its remains lying helplessly in the center of the battlefield, covered in bullet holes, dirt, and long-dried bloodstains that made it nothing more than a silent signal.

The first bullet's path burst out from the mess of footprints, the shell buried in the nearby dirt. That was a warning shot. Those identical footprints left by uniform boots dragged and stomped into the earth, hinting at a suddenly disrupted formation. They are steady and light, with the center of gravity focused on the forefoot. Steps made in perfect silence, the hallmark of on-duty operatives.

The second trace of a shot fired was a fallen shell encased in dried, crackled blood. The sands had worn away the insignia on it, leaving only a black wing and a single claw visible.

Old pieces of uniforms were curled up in blood. Pieces of pitch-black armor, shards of silver metal, scraps of crow wing-like cloaks—they had all fallen and rolled to rest alongside the shell casings, like a densely packed series of scars.

A pair of footprints stood at one of the bullet trails' origin. I tried adjusting my point of view until the sets of prints lined up perfectly.

Across the wreckage of the ship before me was a bloodstain trailing downwards, as if dragged. Someone suffering a grave wound had collapsed to the ground, likely unable to move, and left a dark brown stain in the indentation.

I stood with my own feet on the footprints and pointed a finger at the indentation in a silent standoff, until I could hear a muffled, distant gunshot ring in my ear.

All returned to silence again as I looked back at the disturbed earth. Something heavy had fallen there.

Grom, knowing what I was thinking, flashed her eye, then she circled around to return to my side.

"I didn't see anyone," she said. "By the time I arrived, you were the only one here."

I made a slight hum of acknowledgment and followed the crimson trail to lie down and try stretching out my limbs, even though they wouldn't line up perfectly with the bloodstain.

Grom floated over and watched as I let my eyes slowly close.

Once that call from decades ago sounded again, Helhest would open her eyes once more.

Records

Felwinter Peak Central Archives Application Records

Requester: Helhest

Applications

C0063 | Visitor Application | 02-03 | International Archives | Approved

C0064 | Document Checkout Application | 02-03 | Resource No.: FD-025 (Reef International Daily, Bound Edition) | Returned

C0102 | Visitor Application | 02-10 | International Archives | Approved

C0103 | Document Checkout Application | 02-10 | Resource No.: FH-044 (Reports from the Reef related to political assassinations and trial records) | Returned

C0113 | Visitor Application | 02-11 | International Archives | Rejected by: Felwinter

C0114 | Visitor Application | 02-11 | International Archives | Rejected by: Felwinter

C0115 | Visitor Application | 02-11 | International Archives | Rejected by: Felwinter

C0116 | Visitor Application | 02-11 | International Archives | Rejected by: Felwinter

C0117 | Visitor Application | 02-11 | International Archives | Approved

C0118 | Document Checkout Application | 02-11 | Resource No.: HR-198 (Analysis of global assassin organizations' operating methods, including reports tracking modern underground networks) | Pending Return

C0166 | Document Return Application | 03-01 | Resource No.: Hr-198 (Analysis of global assassin organizations' operating methods, including reports tracking modern underground networks) | Returned by: Grom

A1127 | Visitor Application | 03-05 | Central Archives | Approved Note: Allow partial access. Noted by: Felwinter

A1128 | Document Checkout Application | 03-05 | Central Archives | Resource No.: ACC-001 (Felwinter Peak personnel documents) | Returned

A1129 | Document Checkout Application | 03-05 | Central Archives | Resource No.: *** (Redacted) | Returned

A1130 | Document Checkout Application | 03-05 | Central Archives | Resource No.: *** (Redacted) | Returned

Old Dream

When she entered, I was sitting in front of the hearth, lost in thought. She placed the lamp on the table, then lowered her head, sizing up the meal placed there.

Bright days were a rarity in the Reef. Despite my feeling as though this were one of those rare days, she still carried that strange light with her. It remained turned on, its pale glow ensuring the meager foods on the plates were in full view.

"Shouldn't you eat something a little more—I don't know, substantial?" she asked with a laugh.

"Substantial?" I heard myself question. "Why?"

She was clearly right before me as she spoke, and I could see her lips forming the words, yet her voice came at me from all sides.

"To celebrate," she said.

Celebration. I seemed to understand. We were celebrating my departure from this place.

But once I left… Where would I go?

She was still picking at the food with a somewhat exasperated look on her face. "Be sure to trim the roots and stems next time you cook these. And you can't put fish into the pot without removing the scales… You should learn to look after yourself, you know."

Look after myself? I asked her, "Where will you go?"

She stopped for a moment, stunned, then put down her cutlery. "They only chose you. As for me… I don't know. Maybe I'll seek refuge with someone else. There will always be a place for me to rest."

The conversation, messy logic and all, continued. I asked her, "Do you think we can change things here?"

"Here?" She smiled as she made a small circular gesture in reference to the room. "You're not only changing things HERE, Carella."

Her hand stayed in the air, this time drawing a bigger circle. "You're going to change the whole Reef."

I repeated what she'd said, my voice a near whisper. "…Change the whole Reef."

She didn't respond, so I turned my gaze to the window. Time flows faster than I'd imagined. Just before the light of the second dawn could peek through, she called to me. "Carella."

"Carella, look at me," she said.

Buzzing echoed through my head. She was sitting in front of the window, back facing the light. I couldn't make out her face, but I could see her lips opening and closing. "The Queen believed in you, values you. Follow her, and you'll find what you're looking for."

"Don't rely on me anymore. Don't think of me anymore. Don't…"

What she said afterward was unclear. I seemed to have opened my mouth, but I couldn't hear my voice through the sharp ringing piercing my ears. I reached out to grab her, and the surrounding scenery flew away.

Carella.

Carella.

Ca…

"Helhest!"

My eyes flew open, and I sat up in my bed.

When I rose and took a seat before the table, Grom hastily hovered back and forth behind me, asking if I was alright.

I didn't know how to answer her. The cold sweat drenching my skin and the rapid beating of my heart told me this was something terrible, but I had to record this dream—had to record every word, every sentence, before I forgot them all.

News

[An article that has been printed out. With its unprofessionally sensationalist tone, it has clearly come from a commercial site of no real repute, but it's been carefully folded and tucked into the diary anyway.]

** Heavy Blow Dealt to Outreachers · Suspicion Surrounding Leader's Bizarre Death Cleared **

** Crows' Shadow Looms · Power Vacuum Triggers Regional Unrest **

In recent days, the "Outreachers," a faction that has long stood in opposition to Queen Mara Sov, has suddenly fallen silent. Their leader, code name "the White Queen," was found dead at Exile's Shore. The deceased's encrypted communication device and biological traces left at the scene strongly point to this being a targeted hit carried out by the agents known as the Crows.

** Mysterious Death Extinguishes Rising Political Star **

Internal documents indicate "the White Queen," whose real name and identity are unknown, established the Reef's "Outreachers" one year ago with the goal of contacting civilizations on Earth. Within just six months, they recruited over 300 Awoken and seized the southern Reef as their stronghold.

Their rapid expansion has clearly garnered the attention of the Reef's largest power, the Isolationists led by Mara Sov, who then gave immediate orders to assassinate the White Queen and eliminate the Outreachers.

(Note: One of our sources claims that when the White Queen first appeared, Mara Sov's orders were to "bring her back." Our insider has yet to divulge why such an order was changed to the "assassination" we've seen unfold.)

On the day of the incident, the White Queen's body was discovered on the rocks in the northern reaches of Exile's Shore. Autopsy reports state a bullet hole was found in the deceased's skull, and investigators found a titanium alloy shell bearing an image of a crow—iconography associated with the weapons of the Crows, the Awoken spy network under Mara Sov's command—at the scene.

Investigators revealed to us that within 48 hours of the White Queen's death, they found several members of the Outreachers dead at their southeastern base. The composite tactic of culling the leader and pulling out the roots is a classic strategy employed by the Crows.

Following the White Queen's death, the Outreachers logically should have disbanded or fallen into chaos, but strangely, we have yet to receive any news of key members' movements or conflict within their racks, and satellites have detected no travel by registered spacecrafts. The Outreachers seem to have gone completely silent over night.

As of the time of this article's publishing, this assassination is still shrouded in mystery, and the future of the Reef's power struggle remains unknown.

Caretaking

[A regular examination record brought back from Helhest's personal lab.]

Luna:

The left wing's frame is prone to accumulating dust, resulting in partial flight trajectory deviation. Replacing the carbon fiber kit has reduced cleaning frequency. I discussed the possibility of installing a navigation function with Donovan. His eyes lit up, and he demanded I leave Luna with him for a while. That look on his face was concerning, so I found a way to politely decline.

Nova:

Electromagnetic noise has been appearing with greater frequency recently. Attempts at cutting and restarting the internal circuitry have yielded no noticeable results. Bazinet suggested I place Nova and Flux at two ends of the lab while performing maintenance. Sure enough, it turns out Flux's weak electromagnetic signal was impacting Nova. I now understand why Kabr doesn't want his meerkat around Haven's cats.

Flux:

Actually, I'd prefer a smaller frame. I've tried swapping electromagnetic emitter models to adjust the body, but all of them affect Flux's functions to some degree. I have no choice but to accept his current size. However, this prevents me from taking Flux out with me sometimes—and that often means coming home to find he's made a mess of my communication devices' signals

Oculus:

Personally, I find it quite redundant to install similar functions with high overlap on different drones. Given both are, to some extent, capable of projecting holograms, I asked Grom if I could simply integrate Oculus into her shell. She went silent for a moment, then refused saying, "I'm a Ghost, not a hermit crab." An interesting statement, I think—or was she telling a joke…?

Surge:

This is the only one I can be at ease with. I don't bring him out, and I don't need him to fight or anything. He just needs to guard my residence. He never fails to live up to my expectations. I can find evidence of him roaming in every corner of the home. I must commend the inventor of the robo-vacuum. They truly were one of the greatest minds this world has ever seen.

Report

[A mission report titled "Old City Signal Station Clean-up."]

MISSION REPORT: Old City Signal Station Clean-up

OPERATIVE: Helhest

REPORTED BY: Grom

LOCATION: Old City Signal Station (Coordinates: 32°46'15"N 117°09'48"E)

ENEMY FORCES: 21 Fallen, 4 Servitors EQUIPMENT: 7.62mm Pulse Rifle. Adopted swarm-style attack against charge units of 3-5 Fallen.

After deploying drones to restrain the enemy, we retreated to rifle range to snipe the enemy. A total of 4 bullets were spent to destroy 4 Servitors, achieving 100% accuracy—a display of talent gifted by the Traveler, who has blessed us with the mission of bringing salvation to all.

Having lost their false idols, those foolish rejects began crying and shouting. They are the embodiment of despair nurtured by the roots of a world's demise, but we, given our divine decree, shall deliver peace unto their souls.

This battle of abdication in the face of a broken destiny lasted until dusk. It concluded with 21 Fallen souls delivered salvation, as well as 4 perished machines that, unbale to be brought back from the brink, were dismantled.

[A handwritten note: Stop reading those weird novels, Grom. You can't call the Fallen "the embodiment of despair nurtured by the roots of a world's demise," and we most certainly did not fight a "battle of abdication in the face of a broken destiny." Lord Felwinter doesn't even want to believe you wrote this and warned me not to submit any more mission reports like it.]

Recording

[A locally saved recording.]

The camera turns on, showing nothing but black at first. Eventually, it focuses on two figures. All throughout the video, the frame moves up and down, up and down, as if the camera is floating mid-air, unable to find a focal point.

A second later, a male voice is heard crying out from a figure crawling on the ground.

"H-How did you find me...?! Did she send you?!"

The standing figure speaks with a familiar female voice.

"Please, calm down and tell me your name. I'll help you."

"Y-You're lying! It's a trap... It's all a trap..."

"Wait, what trap?"

"I know you... You're Carella—she sent you."

"What are you talking about? Who is 'she'?"

"She's...she's the one pulling all the strings. I can't escape her—n-neither can you."

"Why does she want to capture you?"

"...Because I've lost my usefulness. And you... You'll be in the same boat soon."

The standing figure kneels down and reaches out as if to grasp the other's shoulder, but he howls as he rolls and crawls away.

"Don't! Don't take me! Stop doing her bidding—you'll end up just like me!"

"I don't know what you're talking about. Please, just calm down and return to Felwinter Peak with me. You'll be safe there, I promise."

"...Safe?"

"Yes. No matter who is hunting you down, I won't let you die."

"...Die? Hah...haha... Is that her reward?"

"...What?"

"You know as well as I do that what's waiting for me is a hundred times worse than death."

The figure on the ground convulses and huddles, his right hand pulling down at his clothes.

The camera violently shakes, and there is an anxious female voice coming from above. "Helhest!"

The kneeling figure hurriedly stretches out a hand and tries stop him, but it's too late. All she can do is watch with wide eyes as the curled-up man before her pulls a gun from his clothes, stuffs the barrel into his mouth, and pulls the trigger.

"BANG!"

The camera trembles as it hurried over. It circles the man's bloodied head twice before the female voice from above speaks.

"What do we do? This trail's gone cold."

There is a lengthy pause. Then, the kneeling figure stands. "Let's go, Grom. We'll find a new lead eventually."

The camera shakes again, and a second later, it cuts to black.

Blessings

Subject: Re: Help

Recipient: Helhest

Sender: Wolf

Thanks for the message, and pass along my best wishes to your friend for me, yeah?

I looked through the list of gifts you included. I think 2 of them could work in a pinch, but the other 18 aren't exactly suitable birthday gifts.

If you ask me, though, I don't think you need to be so nervous. It's just a birthday party, y'know? Even if you show up empty-handed, I'm sure just giving a toast with a thoughtful blessing would show that you care.

Just in case, I had Zev search the Haven forums for popular well-wishes and attached them here. I haven't had the change to look at them myself, but I hope they help you.

Attachment:

"88 Blessings for New Lights"

Subject: Re: Re: Help

Recipient: Wolf

Sender: Helhest

Apologies, I'm only now seeing this message. When she was looking over it, Grom thought it was spam and accidentally put it into the Trash folder.

Thank you for your help, Wolf. But as for the attachment's contents, I can't help but find them a bit…questionable.

Based on 10^6 route simulations, the aircraft you've selected has a 0.0007% chance of crashing. For your safety, we've enabled the emergency mask preloading program.

…Is this supposed to be a blessing for a safe journey? Grom says it sounds more like it belongs in some "Noah Corp.'s" flight insurance ads.

Heart rate analysis indicates your risk of organ failure this year has decreased by 8% compared with the previous year, and the downward trend has weakened. This is certainly worthy of celebration.

I see this one is labeled as a "birthday blessing." Maybe it's popular among younger people? It doesn't seem very…quirky, after all.

I tried reading the first 20 earnestly, but I wasn't able to find anything worth using. Grom has demanded I stop reading this file and asked me to pass along this message:

—Stop downloading files from disreputable websites, Zev.

Mail

Sender: Donovan-17

Recipient: Helhest

Subject: I Assume You'll Need This

I recorded a copy of the transmission you received in the lab and have attached it here. As for the local file, I've already deleted it as it was occupying precious storage space.

P.S.: I did not view the contents.

P.S.S.: Next time, do NOT fiddle with my systems.

Attachment: TransmissionRecording.mp4

Sender: Helhest

Recipient: Felwinter

Subject: Comparison of the Recording's Biometric Data

Esteemed Lord Felwinter,

As we discussed a few days ago, I exported and compared the recorded faces of Mara Sov and the White Queen. The biometrics are a 100% match.

This means that, biometrically speaking, the White Queen is indeed a young Mara Sov.

I've attached the data. Please help me confirm it.

If my findings are correct, then would that imply the White Queen was created as a copy of Mara Sov? Or perhaps she was part of Mara Sov's consciousness all along? But who would be capable of acquiring such a thing? Unless…the Queen herself agreed to it?

I feel this mystery is growing larger and larger.

Attachment: Biometric Data

Sender: Felwinter

Recipient: Helhest

Subject: [blank]

Nothing's wrong with the data.

Ask Skorri. She might know something.

Sender: Skorri

Recipient: Helhest

Subject: To Helhest

I received your message, dear. Thank you for explaining the entire matter so clearly.

Actually, I've met a few Outreacher pioneers who came to Earth from the Reef over the past few decades, and they made similar claims speaking with me. I was always hesitant to make a decision, though, and so I was never able to help them.

I admire and respect your courage in making a choice. It's thanks to you that a connection between Earth and the Reef has been made possible.

I wish to keep that courage burning bright. Just as you hypothesized, a member of the Outreachers once told me that the White Queen is, in fact, a part of Mara Sov's consciousness. When she ascended the throne, Mara Sov's standpoints and apprehensions had already seen changes, so she made a copy of her own mind in case she might one day need it.

It is because of her worries that she has wavered on matters of the Reef's diplomacy. Back then, the Outreachers' core members, unable to contain themselves and desperate, stole that copy of her consciousness and "raised" it to become the "White Queen." They maintain that she is the more idealistic Mara of the past, capable of leading both the Reef and Earth into a better future.

This is why Mara is so anxious to get her back. She cannot let that copy of her own mind wander the outside world and further leave her grasp. To ensure the White Queen's safety, the Outreachers spared no effort in covering their tracks once they left Haven. I tried investigating, but to no avail.

Mara and her Crows will not rest, though, and they may very well start their own investigation with the last person to have contact with the White Queen—that being you, Helhest. These loose ends will not be tied so simply. You must maintain constant vigilance.

I hope this letter could be of help to you.

Fog

It's 3:47 AM at Gorege Town in the southwestern wastelands of the Reef.

On the third week since tracking and witnesses ex-Crows agent Kavich's death, I received an untitled correspondence protected by multiple layers of encryption. The sender was none other than Kavich himself.

His message contained a set of Reef coordinates and nothing more.

Grom insisted that it was obviously a trap, but this was the first time I'd received any word from the Crows since my revival. They'd been watching me from the shadows all along, and regardless of whether what awaited me was a trap, this was a signal that they could no longer hold back.

The coordinates led me to a research institute deep in the wastelands–though in all honesty, I'm not sure if it could be described as such. It was large and empty, with the shapes of terminals outlined in the dust caking the walls. They should have been perfectly aligned and filling the room, but it seems someone moved them out a while ago.

There were no enemies, nor was there any gunfire. The dangerous trap I'd been expecting never showed itself. All that awaited me was a ruin covered in pieces of what looked at a glance to be plastic.

Grom's startled cry shattered the dead silence. She began wildly circling around the "plastic," frenzied in a manner I'd rarely seen and struggling to form words, let alone sentences, in her state of shock.

"Helhest," she said. "Th-these... These are...pieces of Ghosts..."

Shards of Ghosts, littered on the ground.

Grom scanned them. All of them bore traces of abuse. Grom and I exchanged a look as alarm bells started ringing in our minds.

When we found cryogenic freezing equipment further inside the room, I had no choice but to voice my conjecture: the Crows were capturing and torturing Ghosts into submission, attempting to "create" a Lightbearer of their own.

It was as though I'd grabbed a thread of spider's silk throw down a well. But it also felt as though I'd trespassed into an even larger cloud of fog.

Someone clearly gave this evidence in a show of good will, but what were their intentions?

Now, nobody would know of Kavich's existence beyond the Crows and myself, and the sender knowing the time of his death so exactly that they could send a message in his name made me more suspicious. But if that message truly came from the Crows, then the organization's inner workings may be far more complicated than I'd imagined.

I stood up among the shards. I took another look around the empty yet disorderly room, then asked Grom, "Do you think they did it?"

Did they truly create a Lightbearer to serve them?

Grom was silent for a long time before finally replying, "I don't know, Helhest... I don't know."

Appearance

• Destiny: Rising: Season of Daybreak (First appearance)