[b]It's been a while Guardians. Hopefully, you've enjoyed the April Update, as I have. Missed any episodes, click here: [/b] https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/198784219?sort=0&page=0 [b][u]Episode IV: [i]The Pit[/i][/u][/b] A hulking mass of metal and Light trudged through a dimly lit tunnel far below the surface of Mars' crust. The chains around its wrists and ankles shook as it walked; rattling with every heavy step it took. The mass was an Exo from the Last City on Earth and it wore broken pieces of Guardian armor. Beside the Titan, a smaller, leaner frame walked, also shackled and battered. The frame was of a man, built like a boxer, but quick like a Viper. He looked like the usual Hunter but, he was distinguished by the torn cloak at his back, and the triad of stolen Hive eyes that glowed beneath his hood. Together, the two Guardians shambled along the tunnel. At both sides, there were cells of alien prisoners, some of them were traitors to the Cabal Empire while others were those who had been saved for a fate worse than death. Like the Guardians that walked in front of them now, the prisoners had been saved for [i]The Pit.[/i] In front of the Guardians, there was a gate with two bug-like aliens, Krimyn, waiting next to it. Beyond the gate, light shone in from an arena, and a strange chant echoed eerily. Arriving at the gate, the Guardians stood and waited as the Krimyn guards removed the chains from their wrists and ankles. They had been through the process numerous times, and while escape seemed feasible, they were always subdued. They were their prisoners, their enemy, their [i]entertainment.[/i] Once they were unchained, the gate in front of them rose slowly, and the Guardians were shoved out into the arena. Two spears were thrown out with them, their only weapons, and then the gate closed just as slowly as it opened. Around them, a circular wall of stone rose up hundreds of feet, all the way to the surface of Mars, enclosing them in an underground coliseum. Harsh light shone in from the top of the coliseum, straight down to the floor on which the Guardians now stood. Within the stone walls, rows of stands were carved in and filled with other strange aliens, from Cabal soldiers to the bug-like Krimyn, all of them eagerly roaring and cheering for the entertainment they were about to see. Their strange chant rose higher as the Guardians walked to the center of the pit, the entire stadium coming alive with noise. "What do you think they're saying?" The Hunter asked as though the question was routine. He picked up a spear and looked around at the thousands of spectators, observing their hunger for blood. The Titan kept his gaze on the gate opposite of them when he spoke. "You ask every time Marcus, and I still don't know." "Well Torr, it was worth a shot." Marcus said optimistically. On the other side of the arena, another gate opened, grinding loudly. "I wonder what they have for us this time." The Hunter said as he swung his spear lazily. "I don't know," Torr grunted. Just as he finished the thought, a towering, humanoid beast covered in fur stomped out of the other gate, shrouded in Darkness. It was as big as an ogre and it had four veiny arms, each chained together. Around its thick neck was a shock collar with the leash connected to two Cabal Centurions, traitors. As soon as the beast stepped into the light, it snapped its shackles apart and turned on the Centurions. In a swift motion, it snatched the Cabal up and used both pairs of its arms to rip them in half, their squeals echoing throughout the arena and causing the spectators to cheer loudly. “Oh, shit.” Marcus groaned. Torr offered his spear to his friend, “you’re going to need this more than me." he said as he held the weapon out. "Using your fists again?" The Hunter remarked, taking the spear in his other hand. "Wei Ning would be proud." Torr grunted and bashed his metal fists together, Arc Light discharging from the contact. The four-armed creature heard the sound and looked in the Guardians' direction, snarling. It was a carnivorous Martian Ratragon. It's face was like that of a bull mixed with a gorilla. It had a pair of bloody tusks protruding from its fanged maw, and four beady red eyes that glowed with a hellish fury. Seeing the Guardians, it roared and then quickly broke into a charge, thundering across the dirt floor on all limbs. "I think you got it's attention." Marcus said sarcastically. "That was the idea." Torr sighed. Marcus looked to Torr, "Yeah? Damn is that thing ugly. So, uh, how do you plan on taking it down?" The Titan stretched his shoulders back, the gears inside making an unpleasant grinding squeal as he began walking towards the charging Ratragon, "Just back me up when you think I need it." He took a couple more steps before bounding into a sprint, running head-on at the beast. As he ran, Torr analyzed the Ratragon, noticing how it's predatory nature made it arrogant. He observed it with every heavy step he took, calculating all possible attack patterns in a span of a few seconds. As it got closer to him, time seemed to slow. The chant of the spectators seemed to ebb, and was replaced by the whir and click of each gear in his body. Before him, the Ratragon's tusks gleamed sharply. But Torr felt the Light concentrate around him. He felt it bind him, and flow through him, and just as the beast's tusks were about to impale him, he felt it bend to his will. Crouching low and pivoting inward on his right foot, the Titan sprung forward in fury. In an instant, Torr slammed his shoulder into the Ratragon's face, the impact echoing off the stone walls. The stadium exploded into excitement as he made contact and sent the monster sprawling backwards into the dirt. Landing on the dirt himself, the Titan rolled forward and continued running at the Ratragon, which was already picking itself up from the ground. Before it could stand up though, Torr brought a fist down on its head, driving its chin into the sand. He pulled back for another blow, but the Ratragon caught his fist before he could send it forward. Now gaining the upper hand, the beast blocked Torr's punches and grabbed his arms and legs in its own. It began pulling Torr apart, the gears and wires straining against the friction, causing him to shout out in pain. "Hang on big guy!" Marcus called desperately as he ran to his friend and launched a spear at the Ratragon. The point impaled itself into the beast's chest, staggering it and drawing blood. The Ratragon roared in anger and dropped Torr, clutching its wound and looking to where it had come from. There was a flash of Light and as quick as lightning, Marcus blinked up over the beast, landing on its head and bringing the other spear down into its spine. Torr rolled out of the way as the Ratragon stomped around in anguish, trying to grab the Hunter on its back. It succeeded, and with a roar, threw Marcus to the ground, the sound of his ribs cracking audible over the cheers. Overcome with rage, Torr leapt forward and tackled the Ratragon down before it could crush Marcus' body to a bloody pulp. Rolling off to the side, he quickly grabbed the chain that was connected to the monster's collar and pulled, yanking the Ratragon down and towards him. Taking heavy steps forward, he grabbed one of the beast's tusks and tore it off with a sickening crack. The crowd went wild with joy. Soaking in the sounds of entertainment, Torr grabbed the other tusk and snapped it off, throwing it to the ground. The Ratragon bellowed in pain and tried to grab the Titan, but he stomped its hand to the ground, twisting his boot and crushing the bones beneath the skin. Painful screeches escaped the monster and the Titan sent a sharp fist into its throat. Clutching tufts of fur in his fists, Torr picked the Ratragon up and slammed it down on its back, causing it to writhe in pain. It tried to get up but he pinned it to the ground with his knee, driving it into the beast's throat. The Ratragon bellowed weakly, and tried to resist but Torr didn't let it as he brought both fists down on its face in rage. He kept slamming one fist after the other, over and over until they were bloody. Nothing to him mattered as he relentlessly continued punching. He relished in the sickening crunch of the skull that he broke and caved in. He felt numb from remorse, numb from any feeling but the driving rage to kill. "Torr." There was a low mumble of sound. "Torr." There it was again. "Torr!" The shout broke through Torr's trance, and he held back a crimson fist. He felt a hand on his shoulder. Standing up, he turned to see Marcus beside him. "Hey big guy, calm down. It's over...We won; you won. Just calm down." Torr stepped back from the remains of the Ratragon. He stared at his hands blankly as warm blood slowly dripped to the barren ground. [i]What have I done?[/i] He didn't have time to think about what had happened. He and Marcus knelt down in the dirt as the Krimyn guards came to take them back to their cells, and his thoughts drifted. Marcus began to say something about Abigail and an old trick, but Torr wasn't listening. Marcus' voice had faded away as he remembered his leader, Abigail Jensen. It had been so long ago since he and Marcus had been captured in the Buried City. So long ago since they had been taken from their friends, and beaten down into submission. And yet, as he shambled through the tunnel and back to his cell, shackled and weary, Torr remembered his fireteam, and the vow he made to rise from The Pit. [b]Enjoy the read Guardians, and I'll see you next time.[/b]