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'''Beneath the Endless Night''' is a [[Lore]] book introduced in ''[[Season of the Splicer]]''. | [[File:LoreEndless.png|300px|thumb]] | ||
'''Beneath the Endless Night''' is a [[Lore]] book introduced in ''[[Season of the Splicer]]''. Entries were attained by completing [[Triumphs]] from Season of the Splicer. The book follows a number of characters as they deal with the [[Endless Night]]. | |||
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==I - ACCEPTANCE== | ==I - ACCEPTANCE== | ||
"I'm the most qualified for this!" | "I'm the most qualified for this!" | ||
Crow's voice reverberated off of the immense window, making the Vanguard Commander's office feel even more cavernous than it was. At night, the edges of Zavala's office were usually dark, but the miasma of Vex energy that swirled in the City below made it more so. Crow sighed and paced in the gloom like a caged animal. | [[The Crow|Crow]]'s voice reverberated off of the immense window, making the [[Vanguard]] Commander's office feel even more cavernous than it was. At night, the edges of [[Zavala]]'s office were usually dark, but the miasma of [[Vex]] energy that swirled in the [[The Last City|City]] below made it more so. Crow sighed and paced in the gloom like a caged animal. | ||
Zavala faced the window and stood, unmoving; a statue carved of larimar, depicting a test of infinite patience. He glanced over at Ikora, her hands gently clasped as she watched Crow with disquieted contemplation. | Zavala faced the window and stood, unmoving; a statue carved of larimar, depicting a test of infinite patience. He glanced over at [[Ikora Rey|Ikora]], her hands gently clasped as she watched Crow with disquieted contemplation. | ||
"We know," she said, after what felt like an eternity, "but your expertise and relationship with the Eliksni aren't the only deciding factors here." | "We know," she said, after what felt like an eternity, "but your expertise and relationship with the [[Eliksni]] aren't the only deciding factors here." | ||
"Exactly how long am I going to be continually tried in a court of public opinion?" Crow asked pointedly. "And when in this trial will I be given a clear understanding of what I'm on trial for?" | "Exactly how long am I going to be continually tried in a court of public opinion?" Crow asked pointedly. "And when in this trial will I be given a clear understanding of what I'm on trial for?" | ||
Zavala regarded the Awoken's reflection in the window; it reminded him of the near-fatal walk through the gardens not all that long ago. His shoulders sagged. | Zavala regarded the [[Awoken]]'s reflection in the window; it reminded him of the near-fatal walk through the gardens not all that long ago. His shoulders sagged. | ||
"Crow," Zavala said as he turned to face him. "This is a delicate situation. The Consensus has come down hard on us for welcoming the Eliksni into the City, and I can't have them using you as another bludgeon." | "Crow," Zavala said as he turned to face him. "This is a delicate situation. The [[Consensus]] has come down hard on us for welcoming the Eliksni into the City, and I can't have them using you as another bludgeon." | ||
"So that's all this is: a political maneuver," Crow pushed. "To protect yourselves. No hard feelings? Nothing behind the looks you give me when you don't think I'm watching?" Zavala stiffened, and Crow sensed the conversational temperature in the room change. | "So that's all this is: a political maneuver," Crow pushed. "To protect yourselves. No hard feelings? Nothing behind the looks you give me when you don't think I'm watching?" Zavala stiffened, and Crow sensed the conversational temperature in the room change. | ||
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"Not forever," Ikora said firmly, "but for now." | "Not forever," Ikora said firmly, "but for now." | ||
Crow shifted his focus to Ikora and saw the hurt in her eyes. He'd seen it in Amanda's, too, whenever she spoke of the dead. | Crow shifted his focus to Ikora and saw the hurt in her eyes. He'd seen it in [[Amanda Holliday|Amanda]]'s, too, whenever she spoke of the dead. | ||
Without another word, he nodded and left. | Without another word, he nodded and left. | ||
Ikora closed her eyes, and the breath she'd been holding slowly left her. "He's going to Osiris," she warned. | Ikora closed her eyes, and the breath she'd been holding slowly left her. "He's going to [[Osiris]]," she warned. | ||
"And if Osiris is half the leader he's shown himself to be, he'll tell him the same thing," Zavala said with great fatigue, finally sinking into his chair. In the momentary silence that settled between them, Ikora felt an unspoken reciprocation of their generations-old friendship. | "And if Osiris is half the leader he's shown himself to be, he'll tell him the same thing," Zavala said with great fatigue, finally sinking into his chair. In the momentary silence that settled between them, Ikora felt an unspoken reciprocation of their generations-old friendship. | ||
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==II - FRACTURES== | ==II - FRACTURES== | ||
Zavala stared at the terminal window until the words blurred together. He lowered his head and rubbed his eyes, trying to collect his thoughts. There were reports from | Zavala stared at the terminal window until the words blurred together. He lowered his head and rubbed his eyes, trying to collect his thoughts. There were reports from [[Hunter]]s in the field. Increased Vex activity across the system. Coordinated attacks on Vanguard operations. Anomalous disturbances within the City. All on top of Eliksni and Human confrontations within the City's walls. | ||
A buzzing hum bloomed to life over Zavala's shoulder, followed by the gentle weight of a Ghost that came to settle there. "Is this the best use of your time?" Targe wondered aloud, which elicited a look from the corner of Zavala's eye. Targe rarely spoke, but when he did, there was always purpose. | A buzzing hum bloomed to life over Zavala's shoulder, followed by the gentle weight of a [[Ghost]] that came to settle there. "Is this the best use of your time?" [[Targe]] wondered aloud, which elicited a look from the corner of Zavala's eye. Targe rarely spoke, but when he did, there was always purpose. | ||
"I don't recall asking for your opinion," Zavala said as he tried to refocus. | "I don't recall asking for your opinion," Zavala said as he tried to refocus. | ||
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Zavala turned this time to give Targe another look. | Zavala turned this time to give Targe another look. | ||
"You two can't keep doing the work of three people," Targe insisted. "Talk to Ana again." | "You two can't keep doing the work of three people," Targe insisted. "Talk to [[Anastasia Bray|Ana]] again." | ||
Zavala leaned back in his chair. "Targe, there is no way I am going to convince—" | Zavala leaned back in his chair. "Targe, there is no way I am going to convince—" | ||
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An alert chimed at the command console to his right. | An alert chimed at the command console to his right. | ||
"Incoming call from Empress Caiatl," Targe said wearily. "Let it go to depot." | "Incoming call from [[Empress Caiatl]]," Targe said wearily. "Let it go to depot." | ||
Zavala stubbornly rose from his chair. "No," he said, receiving the call. Caiatl's imperial seal appeared on the screen with a notice: AUDIO ONLY. | Zavala stubbornly rose from his chair. "No," he said, receiving the call. Caiatl's imperial seal appeared on the screen with a notice: AUDIO ONLY. | ||
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The leading edge in her tone hooked him. "Why are you really calling?" | The leading edge in her tone hooked him. "Why are you really calling?" | ||
There was no response from the other side for a few moments. When Caiatl spoke next, her tone was as measured as before, but lacked any performative airs. "Lakshmi-2's latest broadcast to the City reached our fleet," she said. "You are truly a proud hawk standing in a nest of vipers, aren't you?" | There was no response from the other side for a few moments. When Caiatl spoke next, her tone was as measured as before, but lacked any performative airs. "[[Lakshmi-2]]'s latest broadcast to the City reached our fleet," she said. "You are truly a proud hawk standing in a nest of vipers, aren't you?" | ||
"Lakshmi is a politician." | "Lakshmi is a politician." | ||
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"I trust you to honor the terms of our armistice. I do not trust whomever your successor might be," Caiatl warned. | "I trust you to honor the terms of our armistice. I do not trust whomever your successor might be," Caiatl warned. | ||
Zavala weighed anger and intrigue against one another, finding the scales a useless tool in arbitrating his response to the situation. He stepped back to the console and did as Cayde might say: just wing it. | Zavala weighed anger and intrigue against one another, finding the scales a useless tool in arbitrating his response to the situation. He stepped back to the console and did as [[Cayde-6|Cayde]] might say: just wing it. | ||
"This is not the first threat to my authority I've weathered," Zavala said, his voice rising. "So don't delude yourself into thinking otherwise. And don't you dare come at me for whatever remorse you might be feeling about deposing your father." | "This is not the first threat to my authority I've weathered," Zavala said, his voice rising. "So don't delude yourself into thinking otherwise. And don't you dare come at me for whatever remorse you might be feeling about [[Midnight Coup (event)|deposing]] your father." | ||
Zavala heard the low rumble of an appreciative vocalization over the speakers. "I do not feel remorse because Calus was my father," Caiatl explained, her tone softening. "I feel remorse because of what Ghaul did to my people. We opened the door for the Hive, handed Xivu Arath a knife, and were surprised when we felt the kiss of steel in our spine." | Zavala heard the low rumble of an appreciative vocalization over the speakers. "I do not feel remorse because [[Emperor Calus|Calus]] was my father," Caiatl explained, her tone softening. "I feel remorse because of what [[Dominus Ghaul|Ghaul]] did to my people. We opened the door for the [[Hive]], handed [[Xivu Arath, God of War|Xivu Arath]] a knife, and were surprised when we felt the kiss of steel in our spine." | ||
I hate to see a warrior I admire and respect do the same with a less worthy adversary. But perhaps you are not in need of such unsolicited counsel." | I hate to see a warrior I admire and respect do the same with a less worthy adversary. But perhaps you are not in need of such unsolicited counsel." | ||
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Zavala looked up, out to the lightless city beyond, and closed his eyes. "And what counsel is that?" | Zavala looked up, out to the lightless city beyond, and closed his eyes. "And what counsel is that?" | ||
What Caiatl said next was not in the voice of an empress, but a friend: "Umun'arath was my most trusted counselor. The Darkness has many hands—will you recognize its caress before it finds your throat?" | What Caiatl said next was not in the voice of an empress, but a friend: "[[Umun'arath]] was my most trusted counselor. The [[Darkness]] has many hands—will you recognize its caress before it finds your throat?" | ||
==III - Gifts from the Shore== | ==III - Gifts from the Shore== | ||
Though the metal crate they were carrying likely weighed more than they did, the two Eliksni gave Saint-14 a wide berth on their way to the Eliksni Quarter. | Though the metal crate they were carrying likely weighed more than they did, the two Eliksni gave [[Saint-14]] a wide berth on their way to the Eliksni Quarter. | ||
"You see how they distrust," Saint grumbled. Amanda Holliday scanned the crate into her datapad, the unexpected shipment of emergency supplies from the Tangled Shore nearly offloaded. | "You see how they distrust," Saint grumbled. Amanda Holliday scanned the crate into her datapad, the unexpected shipment of emergency supplies from the [[Tangled Shore]] nearly offloaded. | ||
"Don't be such a sourpuss," she said lightly. "Mixing with new folk's good for the soul." | "Don't be such a sourpuss," she said lightly. "Mixing with new folk's good for the soul." | ||
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Though Saint was fully helmeted, she could swear he rolled his eyes. | Though Saint was fully helmeted, she could swear he rolled his eyes. | ||
Two more Eliksni came bearing another crate. One noticed Saint too late and stumbled, dropping the crate—its security locks popped as it crashed to the ground. A young Eliksni wearing House of Light colors and a bright orange and blue Vanguard lanyard scampered over in distress. | Two more Eliksni came bearing another crate. One noticed Saint too late and stumbled, dropping the crate—its security locks popped as it crashed to the ground. A young Eliksni wearing [[House of Light]] colors and a bright orange and blue Vanguard lanyard scampered over in distress. | ||
Saint sighed. "It is fine," he said to the Eliksni. "Spider probably sends more surplus from old House of Dusk. Knowing you carry supplies from our enemies is great joke to him." He dragged the crate out of the walkway with one hand and knelt to repair the locks. | Saint sighed. "It is fine," he said to the Eliksni. "[[The Spider|Spider]] probably sends more surplus from old House of Dusk. Knowing you carry supplies from our enemies is great joke to him." He dragged the crate out of the walkway with one hand and knelt to repair the locks. | ||
As Amanda scanned the damaged crate, the young Eliksni came closer. He eyed Saint warily, then held up a sheaf of paper like a shield. "Manifest," he stated haltingly. | As Amanda scanned the damaged crate, the young Eliksni came closer. He eyed Saint warily, then held up a sheaf of paper like a shield. "Manifest," he stated haltingly. | ||
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"This lock has been ruined by distractions," Saint said as he rose to his feet. He removed the lid and looked inside, then lifted a loose coil of rubbery tubes. | "This lock has been ruined by distractions," Saint said as he rose to his feet. He removed the lid and looked inside, then lifted a loose coil of rubbery tubes. | ||
"Servitor plugs, filters, Ether circulators…" The Titan made a confused noise. | "[[Servitor]] plugs, filters, [[Ether]] circulators…" The Titan made a confused noise. | ||
"Something wrong?" Amanda asked. | "Something wrong?" Amanda asked. | ||
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==IV - Conspirators== | ==IV - Conspirators== | ||
Arach Jalaal narrowed his eyes with impatience as Dead Orbit's head of logistics struggled to satisfactorily account for the faction's supply caches. The pair had been wandering around the massive Hangar for an hour while an enormous ship was being loaded in the background. | Arach [[Jalaal]] narrowed his eyes with impatience as Dead Orbit's head of logistics struggled to satisfactorily account for the faction's supply caches. The pair had been wandering around the massive Hangar for an hour while an enormous ship was being loaded in the background. | ||
Jalaal had seen the celestial disappearances and the encroachment of the Black Fleet as clear signs that Dead Orbit's final exodus must soon begin. He had ordered a redoubling of departure preparations, but found the faction's rank-and-file struggling to keep pace. | Jalaal had seen the celestial disappearances and the encroachment of the [[Black Fleet]] as clear signs that Dead Orbit's final exodus must soon begin. He had ordered a redoubling of departure preparations, but found the faction's rank-and-file struggling to keep pace. | ||
Jalaal cut off his subordinate's bumbling presentation. "This is insufficient. Earth will soon be behind us, and Dead Orbit will have to survive on the supplies that we provide." His mild tone and half-lidded gaze underscored the gravity of his words. "Supplies that you are in charge of tracking. You do understand that, don't you?" | Jalaal cut off his subordinate's bumbling presentation. "This is insufficient. [[Earth]] will soon be behind us, and Dead Orbit will have to survive on the supplies that we provide." His mild tone and half-lidded gaze underscored the gravity of his words. "Supplies that you are in charge of tracking. You do understand that, don't you?" | ||
A furious blush spread across the administrator's face. He bowed his head and scuttled away as Jalaal crooked his head in annoyance. | A furious blush spread across the administrator's face. He bowed his head and scuttled away as Jalaal crooked his head in annoyance. | ||
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Behind him, a raspy voice floated up from the maze of towering crates: "Leaving us so soon, Jalaal?" | Behind him, a raspy voice floated up from the maze of towering crates: "Leaving us so soon, Jalaal?" | ||
He turned to find Lakshmi-2 and Executor Hideo. The Future War Cult leader stood formally, hands clasped before her, while the head of New Monarchy browsed the shipping crates with casual interest. | He turned to find Lakshmi-2 and Executor [[Hideo]]. The [[Future War Cult]] leader stood formally, hands clasped before her, while the head of [[New Monarchy]] browsed the shipping crates with casual interest. | ||
"This is an impressive collection. I had no idea Dead Orbit was so well funded." Hideo gestured broadly to the crates. | "This is an impressive collection. I had no idea Dead Orbit was so well funded." Hideo gestured broadly to the crates. | ||
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"Those who wish to leave are free to do so," Lakshmi said with a pointed glance toward the Dead Orbit ship. "We'll be stronger without them." | "Those who wish to leave are free to do so," Lakshmi said with a pointed glance toward the Dead Orbit ship. "We'll be stronger without them." | ||
"Zavala and Ikora have been ineffective since the Speaker died," Executor Hideo cut in. "The disappearance of the planets caught them unprepared. They're allowing Guardians to use the Darkness. And now they've cut a deal with the Cabal? It's just too much." | "Zavala and Ikora have been ineffective since the [[Speaker]] died," Executor Hideo cut in. "The disappearance of the planets caught them unprepared. They're allowing Guardians to use the Darkness. And now they've cut a deal with the Cabal? It's just too much." | ||
"We must have leadership whose point of view is more closely aligned to that of the people," Lakshmi said. | "We must have leadership whose point of view is more closely aligned to that of the people," Lakshmi said. | ||
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"And who do you propose, exactly?" Jalaal stopped the trio at the corner of a broad thoroughfare, where the rumble of cargo movers masked their conversation. | "And who do you propose, exactly?" Jalaal stopped the trio at the corner of a broad thoroughfare, where the rumble of cargo movers masked their conversation. | ||
"Saladin was our first choice," Hideo added with an ill-concealed smirk, "but he's not as cutthroat as he seems. Appears the Iron Lord has a soft spot for Commander Zavala." | "[[Saladin Forge|Saladin]] was our first choice," Hideo added with an ill-concealed smirk, "but he's not as cutthroat as he seems. Appears the [[Iron Lords|Iron Lord]] has a soft spot for Commander Zavala." | ||
Lakshmi gave Hideo a look, as though he had revealed too much. "We are now considering Saint-14," she said, pointedly bringing the conversation back to the present. | Lakshmi gave Hideo a look, as though he had revealed too much. "We are now considering Saint-14," she said, pointedly bringing the conversation back to the present. | ||
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"That person would have to be very clever indeed," Jalaal said gravely. "For your sake. Ikora Rey is not a target to miss." | "That person would have to be very clever indeed," Jalaal said gravely. "For your sake. Ikora Rey is not a target to miss." | ||
The moment stretched as Jalaal measured the situation. He had long considered what a change of leadership might mean for Dead Orbit; for the resettlement and survival of the Human species. And as always, the allure of personal power—a position of eminence in a dying society—was a constant temptation. | |||
==V - SABOTAGE== | ==V - SABOTAGE== | ||
Two dozen Humans, their faces mostly covered with makeshift masks, slunk into the Botza District under cover of darkness. Some were armed with weapons, though most carried workaday tools like crowbars and wrenches. | Two dozen Humans, their faces mostly covered with makeshift masks, slunk into the [[Botza District]] under cover of darkness. Some were armed with weapons, though most carried workaday tools like crowbars and wrenches. | ||
They planned to infiltrate the Eliksni Quarter and find evidence of aggression. If that failed, they would send a clear message that the House of Light was unwelcome in the Last City. Knives tore into banners. Noxious fumes filled the air. Paint cans rattled. The hum of the machinery around them disguised the sounds of their labor while hushed voices conferred in terse, conspiratorial tones. | They planned to infiltrate the Eliksni Quarter and find evidence of aggression. If that failed, they would send a clear message that the House of Light was unwelcome in the Last City. Knives tore into banners. Noxious fumes filled the air. Paint cans rattled. The hum of the machinery around them disguised the sounds of their labor while hushed voices conferred in terse, conspiratorial tones. | ||
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It chirped with concern. "You wouldn't really have shot them, right?" | It chirped with concern. "You wouldn't really have shot them, right?" | ||
The Hunter hesitated as he holstered his weapon. "They needed to know I was serious, Glint." | The Hunter hesitated as he holstered his weapon. "They needed to know I was serious, [[Glint]]." | ||
"But you weren't," his Ghost insisted. Wordlessly, the Hunter began making his way through the destruction. Someone would sound the alarm soon—he didn't want to be there when they did. | "But you weren't," his Ghost insisted. Wordlessly, the Hunter began making his way through the destruction. Someone would sound the alarm soon—he didn't want to be there when they did. | ||
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Ikora Rey strode into the Future War Cult headquarters. It had the air of a church—hushed and reverent, but the air of sanctity was undercut by the intrusion of Vex technology. Wires climbed like vines across the ceiling, and the air was filled with the faint smell of ozone. In the middle of the room, reclining on a seat reminiscent of both throne and operating table, was Lakshmi-2. Her face was obscured by a helmet that connected to the mess of wiring above. | Ikora Rey strode into the Future War Cult headquarters. It had the air of a church—hushed and reverent, but the air of sanctity was undercut by the intrusion of Vex technology. Wires climbed like vines across the ceiling, and the air was filled with the faint smell of ozone. In the middle of the room, reclining on a seat reminiscent of both throne and operating table, was Lakshmi-2. Her face was obscured by a helmet that connected to the mess of wiring above. | ||
Studious Cultists shuffled about with their heads bowed, glancing suspiciously at Ikora. As the Warlock advanced, a Cultist held up a single finger, commanding both silence and patience. Ikora's eyes narrowed. The Cultist whispered into a small microphone next to the Device. Its subaudible hum had been inconspicuous, but once it powered down, the quiet felt overwhelming to Ikora. | Studious Cultists shuffled about with their heads bowed, glancing suspiciously at Ikora. As the Warlock advanced, a Cultist held up a single finger, commanding both silence and patience. Ikora's eyes narrowed. The Cultist whispered into a small microphone next to [[The Device|the Device]]. Its subaudible hum had been inconspicuous, but once it powered down, the quiet felt overwhelming to Ikora. | ||
Lakshmi sat in repose, presumably orienting herself in the current timeline. "Leave us," she said without opening her eyes. "We'll resume at 14:25." Her subordinates filtered from the room, looking past Ikora as if she were invisible. | Lakshmi sat in repose, presumably orienting herself in the current timeline. "Leave us," she said without opening her eyes. "We'll resume at 14:25." Her subordinates filtered from the room, looking past Ikora as if she were invisible. | ||
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He stops, smiles, laughs. Shakes his head. He points a finger at me in mocking admonishment before walking away. | He stops, smiles, laughs. Shakes his head. He points a finger at me in mocking admonishment before walking away. | ||
I swallow the fatty morsel of his ignorance and it gives me the strength to stand once more, cover my face, and resume my walk. I feel this form splitting beneath its wrappings, held together weakly by wet strands of sinew. And from deep inside, stirred by that latest scrap of deception, I hear the oily growl of the Worm. | I swallow the fatty morsel of his ignorance and it gives me the strength to stand once more, cover my face, and resume my walk. I feel this form splitting beneath its wrappings, held together weakly by wet strands of sinew. And from deep inside, stirred by that latest scrap of deception, I hear the oily growl of the [[Worm]]. | ||
Even here, basted in deception both ample and rich, the Worm cries ravenously. It has grown grotesque, skin taut, overfed, and still it howls for more. It commands me to keep it alive. | Even here, basted in deception both ample and rich, the Worm cries ravenously. It has grown grotesque, skin taut, overfed, and still it howls for more. It commands me to keep it alive. | ||
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==VIII - GILDED KNIVES== | ==VIII - GILDED KNIVES== | ||
They say the promenade of the Core District never sleeps. In times of celebration, it was a parade ground meant to extol the virtues of the Guardians and show the people of the City the faces of their often-distant defenders. To see it empty was almost unheard of since the Red War. | They say the promenade of the [[Core District]] never sleeps. In times of celebration, it was a parade ground meant to extol the virtues of the Guardians and show the people of the City the faces of their often-distant defenders. To see it empty was almost unheard of since the Red War. | ||
Executor Hideo of New Monarchy walked alongside Lakshmi-2 of Future War Cult, observing vendor stalls decorated in neon lights that flickered intermittently as they passed. But there were no vendors, no proprietors. Hideo glanced over his shoulder at the four Future War Cult security officers that followed behind them at a respectful distance. | Executor Hideo of New Monarchy walked alongside Lakshmi-2 of Future War Cult, observing vendor stalls decorated in neon lights that flickered intermittently as they passed. But there were no vendors, no proprietors. Hideo glanced over his shoulder at the four Future War Cult security officers that followed behind them at a respectful distance. | ||
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==IX - PREDICTION== | ==IX - PREDICTION== | ||
In the days that followed Quria's defeat, the sky lightened, and so did the City's mood as the Endless Night began to slowly lift. | In the days that followed [[Quria, Blade Transform|Quria]]'s defeat, the sky lightened, and so did the City's mood as the [[Endless Night]] began to slowly lift. | ||
Lakshmi-2 stood high on the City walls, watching adventurous citizens mingle with the Eliksni. She focused her attention on an Eliksni peddler, who had fashioned several small robots from discarded scrap. A small gaggle of children stood across the way, clearly interested in the robots as they moved aimlessly, but too frightened to approach. Lakshmi knew that the peddler would sell one of the robots, but none of the scrap, and end the day discouraged. | Lakshmi-2 stood high on the City walls, watching adventurous citizens mingle with the Eliksni. She focused her attention on an Eliksni peddler, who had fashioned several small robots from discarded scrap. A small gaggle of children stood across the way, clearly interested in the robots as they moved aimlessly, but too frightened to approach. Lakshmi knew that the peddler would sell one of the robots, but none of the scrap, and end the day discouraged. | ||
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The air up on the wall was thin; Lakshmi was right about that. | The air up on the wall was thin; Lakshmi was right about that. | ||
Mithrax stood in silent observation of the memorial above the main concourse. He leaned against an iron railing, watching Guardians and citizens alike moving below, Eliksni with them. | [[Mithrax, Kell of Light|Mithrax]] stood in silent observation of the memorial above the main concourse. He leaned against an iron railing, watching Guardians and citizens alike moving below, Eliksni with them. | ||
A Dreg approached the memorial and led his child to stand among the mourners. Urged forward by a gentle nudge, the child gingerly placed a gilded eggshell at the memorial's base. Gold soldering sealed a myriad of fractures, making a once broken egg whole again. Mithrax's throat tightened at the sight. It was a memorial for a child. Lost. | A [[Dreg]] approached the memorial and led his child to stand among the mourners. Urged forward by a gentle nudge, the child gingerly placed a gilded eggshell at the memorial's base. Gold soldering sealed a myriad of fractures, making a once broken egg whole again. Mithrax's throat tightened at the sight. It was a memorial for a child. Lost. | ||
The walkway behind Mithrax groaned as Saint-14 cut a large silhouette against the clear sky. Shoulder to shoulder, they stood. Neither spoke. | The walkway behind Mithrax groaned as Saint-14 cut a large silhouette against the clear sky. Shoulder to shoulder, they stood. Neither spoke. | ||