[b]Episode Six[/b] [b][url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/103939962/0/0/1]Episode One[/url][/b] The sun had just finished burning away the morning dew when a man known simply as the Speaker walked through Radegast's courtyard. Sadness and anger nestled sourly in the pit of Saladin’s stomach as he rolled his lord’s dead Ghost in his hands. He tucked it back into his pocket. “Speaker?” asked Saladin, contempt bleeding into his voice. “What kind of name is that?” He studied the man with a mask white as opal, white as a full-bellied moon. “Who are you?” The Speaker cocked his head minutely. “A speaker,” he said, as if that was answer enough. “I am the sole agent of the Traveler's will. It was Radegast's desire to unite the Guardians, is that correct?" “Yes” “It is also the Traveler's desire in keeping the Guardians moving towards a common purpose. Since the Collapse, it has watched in silence. It has watched its children turn against each other and take no heed to the threat upon them. Now I am here to guide. I need your assistance for unification. Saladin gave him a level look. “I can do it by myself,” he said, scathingly. “I’ve already reassembled the armies of the fallen Iron Lords, and it wasn’t easy. Where were you then? As far as I’m concerned, the job’s finished.” “It’s far from finished,” said the Speaker. “Do you have any idea of how many factions there are in the Inner City? More are cropping up every day. We’re on the brink of [i]another[/i] war in our own haven, Saladin.” He leaned forward. “We cannot fight amongst ourselves like Radegast and the others did when the Darkness is at our doorstep. And I do not mean that figuratively. Saladin knew the man was saying more beneath his words. He might as well have called his master a warlord. Well, in the end he became one. The lords had gotten caught up in petty rivalries and grabs for power, instead of focusing their energies on the crazed aliens that wanted to destroy them. A heavy weight settled in his chest. The lords might have done some good, like build the wall and populate the City with survivors, but it hadn’t been enough. He had to work with the man. “Fine,” said Saladin. “What do you propose?” The Speaker hesitated for a heartbeat, as if he didn’t expect cooperation. “I would tear down every Tower,” he began, when Saladin frowned and acid churned in his stomach. He raised a hand. “Except this one. It would function as living quarters for most of the Guardians and expanded to include a hangar. Vendors would sell their wares here. It would be an image of solidarity.” It would be a beacon. Saladin could get behind that idea. Radegast’s legacy could be more than his war, it could be a home for all Guardians. The moment stretched out until he nodded his head. “Okay. Where do we start?” “You can start with training our future leaders,” said the Speaker. Saladin stared at him, icy in his calm. “What?” “I discovered two Guardians, newly reborn, that I believe could one day be great leaders in our cause. I feel you are the only man qualified to train them. The only man. Take them under your wing and the Darkness will have an even tougher time trying to gain ground.” Saladin felt a smile behind the mask. “I mean that.” The Speaker waved to his guards and two men walked in. By their stature, they had to be Titans. The first one was a bald Awoken with eyes white and hard. His mouth was stiff as a sheet of shattered glass. He held his hands behind his back. Probably a commander in his former life. The man beside him was a human with an amused curl to his mouth—a perpetual grin. “To the left is Zavala,” said the Speaker. “The other Shaxx.” Saladin felt a slight prickle of rain against his face in the Tower courtyard and muttered a curse. He walked over to the two Guardians. They required some assessment before becoming his students. It wouldn’t be such a simple adoption. Before either men could blink, Saladin plowed his fist into Shaxx stomach, sending him sprawling. He felt a lick of static course along his finger. The Titan was a Striker, he decided. Zavala leaped forward to take him down, but Saladin leaned under him, flipped him across his shoulder, and felt a light wave of Void energy brush past his cheek. So a Defender, then. Both men gained their heavy feet and moved in unison to strike him. Saladin caught their fists. “Enough,” he said, as he braced himself against two very angry Titans. “It was just a little test.” When they didn’t disengage, Saladin drove his foot into Shaxx, which sent him to the ground, and heaved Zavala forward so both were in front of him. “And your combat skills need some work.” “I’ll show you skill,” growled Shaxx, tensing to spring. Zavala put his arm out. “No,” he said. “He’s right. “I am right,” said Saladin. The Speaker walked past the fallen Guardians and tipped his head, a sign for them to follow. Saladin watched them go with one last, seething glance from Shaxx. He grunted. That one had some mettle. He would be a tough student. A good warrior. It was like looking at his reflection. Saladin took out Radegast’s dead Ghost from his pocket. The man hadn’t deserved to die. Yet Saladin had spared Jolder’s life, so to speak, and his Ghost remained under lock and key. When he returned to the Tower, his own Ghost received a message from Radegast that had activated upon his death. Very little words were given. Radegast was never the warmest man or mentor, but he said what he needed to. He granted Saladin his Tower and Guardians, his land. He passed on his legacy and Saladin refused to let it disappear like morning fog. He was a king now. He was an Iron Lord. [b]Thanks everyone for reading and sticking with the series! I think this is my best one yet! Please bump if you liked it! My next story will probably be about Red Death, due to all the requests for it. I still need to work on a story for it so it'll be a while before I release it. For newcomers and new writers, join my group! I've put out some writing advice and my members help greatly with constructive criticism. Thanks guys![/b] [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/106570331/0/0/1]EPISODE THREE[/url][/b] [b][url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/109058736/0/0/1]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]DESTINY FAN FICTION ARCHIVE[/url][/b] [b][url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Clan/Forum/823422]JOIN GROUP FOR FAN FICTION UPDATES[/url][/b]