[b][u]The Guardian in the Well[/u][/b] Taravax-7 Entered the Vanguard hall to talk to Ikora about the Sword. Taravax-7: So how is your research coming along? Ikora: We may be sending you back to the vault of glass a little earlier. Taravax-7: Why? Ikora: We had a thanatonaut look into the sword. He tried using his mind to analyze it, but he said when he tried to touch the sword with his mind, it struck at him. Taravax-7: What’s that suppose to mean? Ikora: The Sword never moved, but he said he could feel it try to slash at him. It also spoke to him. It mentioned the vault of glass. Taravax-7: Did it mention anything else? Ikora: It also mentioned envious ambitions striking down the unworthy. Taravax-7: Envious ambitions? Ikora: Don’t fret over that. Leave riddles to us warlocks. In the meantime, get your team together and head for the vault of glass when you’re ready. Taravax-7: Understood. A few hours passed. Taravax-7 allowed Yuri and Iris time to rest before they went out again. They met up in the hanger then made their way for the vault of glass. They landed just outside and felt as though something was wrong. Yuri: The ruins are never this quiet. Iris: The Vault door is open already. Taravax-7: Something must be waiting for us. Something the vex want gone. Sure enough, the team got the the door to find a two small fireteams of vex, standing in a non-combat stance. They silently watched Spitfire walk into the vault. Spitfire got down to the templar’s well before anything else seemed out of place. In the cleansing circle, there was a guardian that appeared taken. Yuri: Looks like one of them freaks that wear that taken armor. I don’t understand how they find that comfortable to wear. It’s like Ahamkara armor, but worse. Iris: When was the last time you had Ahamkara armor? Yuri: I’ve got a vault [i]full[/i] of accidentally bought nightmare armor. Xur isn’t very good at explaining what he sells. Iris: You should let me sift through those. Yuri: Yeah, no. Warlocks get all weird when they’re around Ahamkara bones. Don’t need you to go even more insane. Iris: Hey! Taravax-7: Focus. That’s not the taken armor from Variks. I’m not even sure it’s guardian armor. Upon closer inspection, the team could now see that the guardian was wearing a strange blend of vex armor and gaurdian armor with the taken membrane covering it all. The guardian was standing next to a small machine. Yuri: Kabr maybe? Taravax-7: No. The armor doesn’t match. But it does look familiar. Iris: It couldn’t be a taken guardian….could it? Taravax-7: I don’t want to believe. Yuri: Well you might have to. The fireteam jumped down to get closer to the guardian. They got within a few meters before the guardian turned around and greeted them with an unsettling smile. This guardian was, in fact, Taken. Taravax-7: Who are you? The Taken guardian replied with a voice that sounded corrupt, but feminine. Vida: I am Vida. I’ve been waiting for you. Especially you, titan. Spitfire drew their weapons, ready for anything. In that moment, containment fields locked the three in place. They tried to break the fields, but before they could, two blights swallowed up Yuri and Iris. The blights quickly disappeared, leaving Taravax-7 and Vida face to face. Vida: You’ve got quite the reputation don’t you? You’re FWC’s best guardian. The honorable titan. Taravax-7 finished breaking the containment field before responding. Taravax-7: What about it? Vida: They just use you. They don’t care about your input. Maybe that’s why they don’t let you use the device. Taravax-7: Where have you taken my team? Vida : I’m afraid they're fighting their own battles right now. They’re in the same place they just were, but in different times. Taravax-7: Is there a reason I shouldn’t just kill you right now? Vida: You’d never get your team back. And that’s practically your one true purpose, right? Getting everyone home safe. Taravax-7 slowly lowered his weapon. Vida: Heh, you’re such a softy. That’s what will be your undoing. Taravax-7: If I need to die so that my team will survive, then let it be so. Vida: Yes, because your honor would dictate so. Taravax-7: No. It’s simply numbers. Two guardians in exchange for one is the better trade. Vida: What? Taravax-7: I don’t always just act on my system of honor. I’m still an exo. I see the world through numbers too. Vida’s unsettling grin turned into a slight frown. Vida: So why haven’t you tried to kill me yet, or even hit me? Taravax-7: Well, the way I see it, you seem to have control over both this part of the vault and some taken blights. I don’t stand a chance. All I can really do is talk. Vida: But what if you could do something? Maybe killing me [i]would[/i] free your friends. Or maybe they’d be lost to time. Maybe they’re already dead. Taravax-7: Well, I know Yuri’s still alive. He also just confirmed your earlier statement. Vida: Wait...what? How? Taravax-7: Odd. I was under the assumption you knew me and my team very well. Vida’s tone became more harsh and frustrated. Vida: Oh, trust me, I know everything there is to know about you and your team. You are Taravax-7, FWC’s best guardian. You recently obtained a relic in relation to visions you’ve received from this very place. Yuri makes regular breaks from the tower with Cayde. Iris has studied the taken membrane with Ikora and her hidden. Taravax-7: Well, now I’m not too sure what to think. Vida: Just think of your friends, and how they may be suffering right now. Taravax-7 sat down and looked at the dirt. Taravax-7: Maybe. But at least I know they’re still alive. What Vida didn’t notice was a tricon, Spitfire’s signature symbol, that was scribbled in the dirt next to Taravax-7. It was where Yuri stood before he was teleported. In the past, Yuri was fighting his own battle. He was still in the templar’s well, but the door to the inner vault was gone. In its place, there was an immense empty space that was filled with platforms that teleported in and out of existence. At the far end of the space, there was a portal. Precursor hobgoblins faded in and out with some platforms. Yuri gathered up his will and his focus before starting on the perilous path to the portal. [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/225250047]Next Part: Old Ambition[/url] [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/221704942]Previous part: A Hungry Beast[/url] [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/214985095]To the collection:[/url]