[b]The Buried City.[/b] Once, long ago, this was a great and magnificent city. Over a hundred years ago this city was a home to thousands of citizens. The city was well known before it became lost and forgotten, but through the sands of time it was. War started to spread throughout the galaxy, and like a deadly virus soon it infected those within the city, now forgotten from our world. One by one the citizens started to leave, abandoning their hope thinking that somewhere else they may find safety. I knew that there was no safe place, and I would rather die in my home awaiting the inevitable end that was upon us all. As time went on, there became less and less of us. What was once a mighty people soon became a few hundred, then a few dozen. Until it was only I that remained here in the city, I don’t know if the ones who left became lucky in their search for safety, but I never regretted my choice to stay…. Soon they came, the creatures from another world beyond our rim, seeking the resources we had. They tried to wipe us out, even into extinction. The armies came and attacked the city, I can still see them in my nightmares, marching their forces, destroying all in their path. As I write my recollection of these events I don’t know if any will ever know of the truth, or even seek to find it. If one day the remnants of this city are to be discovered and excavated then you can find the truth buried in the heart of the city center. Pathways through the darkness….Per audacia ad astra [i]I await your arrival….Destiny awaits you.[/i]

[b]Today's the day.... I thought. As I got out of bed, I felt more joyful this morning then any other because today's the day I become a Guardian. I go in my bathroom, get cleaned and finally get dressed into my uniform. I set off to meet my friend Lucas. I was walking to meet him, when out of nowhere, a punch came flying my way. Yep, today was a mixture of emotions. It was Callum, popular with everyone, even the teachers. He was about to hit me again but Lucas was there to stop him. Lucas was there to protect me, ever since we where kids he was always there like a guardian angel. Well, after the incident we went to the hall of honours, which is directly under The Traveler. The hall of honours is a magnificent building, it's job is to honour the fallen Guardians and keep up moral in the darkest of days. I can tell you it kept me going through the years, most of the time it was when we had to go through the rigorous training. We collected our honours of General Cleeson, we then sat back down and rose has Guardians of the City. Alarms rang.. ..Couple of hours later, we where in the battlefield, with the rest of our faction, FWC, our aim was too take out a platoon of fallen. Lucas spots a fallen separate form his group. Lucas being the Titan he is goes rushing in. I yell "nooooo!", the words screeches through air. He looks only it's too late. A Devil Walker blast him with a canon. ....That's the day I became Legend RIP Private Lucas Conway. The Brave Titan. [/b] I tried my best. Hope you like.

Question, can our main character be a bad guy? Ex. Fallen, Dreg, The Hive???

I stood, alone, in the courtyard. Orange sand swirling around my boots. I pulled up my hood, letting my cloak catch the wind. I checked my sniper for ammo, and dropped it when I discovered it was empty. Blood was running down my left arm, and pain stabbed at my chest, but I chose to ignore it. I took off my mask, and placed it under the large cover. I pulled out my revolver, looking over the dead body's of the intruders I killed. This land was once ours, but these... heartless heathens killed us for it. I crouched on one knee, saying a quick prayer to the traveler. I heard footsteps, heavy and clumsy. Reinforcements. I sighed and stood back up, looking at the many who wish to kill me. I coughed, blood filling my mouth. I looked at the old buildings that surrounded me, wondering what it looked like when humans were occupying it. Kids laughing and mothers scolding them for touching everything they saw, and fathers hard at work to earn money. What peace. "I am the protector of the last city." I growled, determination and anger rising in my chest. "You may try all you want to kill the humans, but, as long as I'm still here, and as long as I can move a finger or toe, you will never succeed!" I shouted, stamping my foot to stir up the sand, letting it rise like an explosion. I stood proud, glaring at the pathetic Cabal in front of me. "I will never give up." I said as I launched myself at them, feeling the spirits of all the dead people with me, supporting me.

4 cloaked figures known as Guardians slowly walked making their way across the sandy desert the sun beating down on them. They had been at it for almost 2 weeks now not seeing much except for the small rodents that manage to survive in the intense heat. A sand storm they had been tracking for days was almost upon them so they decided to make camp in a nearby abandoned city, a city ravage by a battle from long ago buried beneath time and sand. They made it to a small road way cracked and broken that would lead them straight in to the heart of the [i][b]Buried City[/b][/i]. They made their way in to the eastern entrance of the desolate city checking their navigation maps for a location they could set up camp for the night. They chose a rundown building that seemed at one time to be an apartment building. The picture hadn't been updated in years so their hopes were not high that the building even still existed. But they had been lucky as it still stood even though it had been riddled with holes and the pant sand blasted off over the years. They climbed up the chipped and broken stair case leading to the main entrance and inside the main lobby. They set up a defensive perimeter sending Hunter on the roof with a high powered Sniper the roof where she could pose as a long range killer and lookout. The Warlock was the point man for the medium range targets picking off anything that came into his range while he had the cover of the main lobby desk. For the enemy's that were unfortunate enough to get within range of close combat they had to deal with the two titans quartered at the left and right of the Warlock. They were ready for anything that might try to attack.

[b][i]Seven of us gazed upon the timeworn metropolis that lay on our horizon. Some of us sobbed at the sight of our home devolved and decimated into a smoldering pile of charred tears and dreams, and some of us stood valiantly on the edge of all the destruction. The city was first buried in the ashes of the fallen, but whatever clawed out of all of the pestilence surrounding them found nothing more than the desert, which swallowed up whatever dead memories called these ruins "home". Whole buildings had been reduced to shards that pierced the heavens, whole blocks had been ripped apart and cast about the town, whole families had been torn apart in the midst of chaos unfolding. The sea of dust that had encroached upon this land had eroded the faces and legacy of countless sculptures of the citizens of this burg, and blistering desert winds had shattered the remains. My comrades and I picked up our rifles, our supplies, and our spirits, as we all entered the Buried Hamlet of Madrigal, the shelter of the sands. The road was glittering with the ever-burning embers cast off from the smoldering balconies of flaming penthouses. Fallen towers litter the desert, along with the deteriorated remains of every man who had ever lived in this place. An amber hue reflected off the the slivers of glassed high-rises, as we traversed through molten highways and decrepit boons. We finally reached our vantage point right in the center of the city, and laid out our supplies, then my partner set up the explosive charges. We all stood there, staring back at where we were hours before, and felt a sense of euphoria as the blackened masses of steel and sweat vaporized around us, and as we burst into flames with it.[/i][/b] My entry. If you like it, or think it's horrid, let me know. Also, thank you for this opportunity, and challenge of artistic skill.

As the lone guardian trudged through the sands of the ancient red planet, he beheld the marvel that had ignited his quest. Before the man stood a necropolis, the remains of a grand city constructed in technological splendor. The spires of archaic buildings glimmered in the light of the distant sun. Intrigued, the human strode towards an exposed aperture, treading confidently over Martian fauna. Upon entry, the guardian felt a flurry of images enter his mind, echoes of the events that lead to the city's downfall. Screams pierced the warlock's ears as he stepped closer to a charred bed frame. Succumbing to the antediluvian shrieks, he kneeled down on the ground, clasping his sweating temples. As the wails subsided, he noticed a slight sparkle in the ash around the bed frame. Upon investigation, he found a bronze key with an inscription engraved on the side in an alien tongue. Paying it no heed, the guardian began to look for a keyhole nearby. On a slight bulge in the wall, he found the fissure that he sought. Without remorse, the man twisted the key, expectant of rewards. A basement of sorts was now open to him. The guardian walked down, activating his Ghost for illumination. What he found was far more macabre than he could have possibly imagined. Bones of human infantry lined the walls, positioned in such a way as to indicate physical detention. All valuable possessions had been stripped from them. A feeling of dread entered into the warlock's thoughts as he contemplated what had happened here. Uneasy, the guardian exited the basement, content to leave empty-handed. The lone guardian trekked out of the building and away from the city. He boarded his ship and headed for Earth, curiosity tickling his imagination. This adventure called for a fire team.

Gazing at the difference between the wreckage of what once was evidently a beautiful city-square I couldn't help but wonder... Who could make such as this? Contemplating further scenic beauty ahead the task of finding the data pads skillfully hidden amidst the structure continued. "Seven! over here!" Looking over I saw seven being waved to by forge, one of the longest lived and serving officers of the day. Another data pad found. Would these help us find/ make greater beauty? As sevens "help bot" scanned and transmitted the data to the group a new sound was heard. Unmistakeable... Prepping for the oncoming conflict I note the additional information feed-out on my armor / health condition and ammo as battle hardened as a quicksilver lightning in my nerves and reflexes. "Seven! Get ready! Four arms incoming!" "Forge! We NEED to find these pads!" "I know keep looking and stay sharp! We have enough dead Heroes so stick close to the group." Looking about at some of the newer and more anxious faces I sigh, and reflexively relax to the mindset of faster movements and environmental adjustment, noting along with it that my end result for not needing this mindset was just as lost as the pads we're looking for. Finishing my pre-battle prep I return to scanning for seven , the only out of sight teammate. "Seven! Get down here NOW! We have incoming!" "..urrgh!" "Seven..." "..." "." "...almost... GOTCHA! Found the last pad! Lets get out of here!" "Nice timing Seven..." "You know me! Always in the nick of time!" Reading over the data coming in over the link I couldn't help but laugh. Who could imagine a platypus causing that... "Ready the force!"

Do you really want it as an anecdote or can it be a short story instead?

Does the story have to be set at the same time as the picture or can it be told from the past?

Does that place in the photo have a name? I'm kinda new to this :s

My time to shine... Just so I'm clear, midnight Bungie time, Sunday, yesh? And it has to be in the style of an anecdote?

... :( I...I...I can't write good