Note: Words spoken in the Eliksni language are italicized Table of Contents https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/229522482/0/0 "Keis," Avery advises, "Get back to cover." I bend over and pick up the dead Dreg's shock pistol, then heft the Sword of Crota up onto my shoulder. The Captain and man herd me back to the staircase, where we prepare to fight off the next wave, whose shrieks are already close. "Vanguard," the man says, holding up my rapier. My hands are full, and he gestures for me to turn my hip towards him. When I comply, he slides the rapier into my sheath. "Those Princes are turning out to be a problem," the Captain huffs, tossing aside the useless hilt of her own rapier, "That sword seems to be the only good way to deal with 'em." "But a one-on-one sword fight isn't a good idea," Noel counters. "You must challenge the-" Dawn starts, but Noel cuts her off. "We know, Dawn," he assures, "What I'm sayin' is we should set a trap." The doors slide open, and Hive once again pour out. "Come up with a plan fast," Senda pleads. I fire bolts at the mass, listening as Avery chimes in, "We'd have to catch it by surprise. The simplest thing would be for Keis to hide and you all lead it to him. He'll ambush it." "Sounds good," Noel approves. "But what if it doesn't fall for it?" The Eliksni Captain questions. A mighty roar bursts from the open door. "Pray to the Traveler it does," the Captain next to me implores, "Vanguard, get down!" I crouch, losing sight of the battle. The Captains at the other staircase cross in front of the chain, heading straight for us, and the Eliksni fires his Scorch Cannon. They pass by us, changing their route to wrap around the chain. "Light be with you, Vanguard," the man farewells, and the lot of them dash away towards the great door behind us. I set down the shock pistol and grip the handle of Crota's blade with both hands. The sound of the Prince's heavy footsteps pounds nearby. I wait, judging the sound until it seems to be right around the corner, then stand and swing the Sword of Crota with all my might. The sword smashes into the raised blade of the Prince, knocking back the blade and deflecting my attack to gash the Prince's side. I step out, slashing at the beast again. It backpedals, avoiding the blow and bringing its blade back up. I pursue, lashing at it again. Crota's blade strikes out quickly, defying the physics of its weight as if it has a will of its own, and bites viciously into the Knight's chest. The Prince howls and I tear the sword away from it, dodging its counterattack. Its blade cuts at me again but I keep my distance, then I close the space and cleave into the Prince's head. The Prince turns to dust, cascading to my feet. Before it's helmet hits the ground, the sword in my hands vaporizes. I flinch back, withdrawing my hands from the lingering haze. "What happened?" Avery grills. "Crota's blades have been vanquished!" Dawn praises, "His sword has left this world! It's power is gone!" "Hold until Drevis returns," Avery orders, "We lost contact when she went in, but she should be coming back." "Move to the door!" Senda calls. I look back to see them already there. The soldiers on the upper platforms tramp down the stairs, and I join them. We gather in front of the door. "[i]Be ready to get out fast,[/i]" the Eliksni Captain clicks. Those who are too injured to walk are gathered and passed to others who can help them along. The Captain curses under her breath, then reports, "I lost most of my crew. How's everyone else?" "I'd say we did pretty well," Senda sighs, "Looks like your men took most of the beating. Next time, I'll be sure to put my boys where all the action is." "That's a comforting thought," a woman mutters. "Why'd the Hive stop coming?" A man inquires. I look across the room. The screams of the Hive can still be heard, but none come out to chase us. "Let's just call it luck and hope it lasts," Noel recommends. "Don't let your guards down," Avery advises. "The Silent Fang!" A man yells, pointing through the doorway. Eliksni are rounding the bend at the end of the tunnel, running towards us. Drevis leads them, and she barks at us, "[i]It is done! Move![/i]" "Let the Silent Fang lead," Avery directs, and the crews open a path to the exit. Drevis stops at the door, waving her pack onward. They rush past us and up the stairwell. I study them as they pass, noticing that there are a good deal less than before. "What happened?" I ask Drevis as she moves next to me. "[i]The shrine was guarded by one of their abominations,[/i]" she growls, "[i]Both are destroyed.[/i]" "You have slain Oryx's Eye and silenced the shrine!" Dawn cries, "Crota's connection with his father has been severed!" The last of the Silent Fang spills out and Drevis follows them. The rest of us fall in behind her. We ascend quickly, kicking aside bones and glancing over our shoulders to make sure we're not being pursued. "The strike team is leaving the Hellmouth," Avery broadcasts, "Crew Six, is the LZ secure?" "Affirmative, Commander," Captain Tarlow answers. "I'm sending in your transports," Avery notifies. "Roger that, Commander," Tarlow responds. I clear the stairs, squeezing through the door at the top with the soldiers around me. We hustle past the view of the Hellmouth's inner layers, slowing down as the Silent Fang ahead of us funnel into the passageway at the end. The Hive's shrieks persist, quickening our steps. I reach the passageway, ascending alongside Drevis. Soon we come into the room from which we had entered. The Eliksni that had been waiting for us are lining the sides, waiting for us to pass and watching for Hive. We dash out and weave around the barriers, bursting into the open field. "The strike team's out," Stella announces. I scan the space and see her fireteam at the top of the slope ahead of us, along with the Vandal from before. The column heads straight for them, and I check over my shoulder. I see the last of the Silent Fang following us, trailed by a small stream of howling Thrall. We scale the bank, and I stop next to Stella at the top. Drevis lingers next to us while our subordinates pass by.