Lawless: Chapter I

“Look, if you haven’t got an ID, you need to go get one. There is no entrance to the Tower without an ID.” The man being spoken too, a short man of Asian heritage, looked infuriated at the Hunter. “You mean to tell me I cannot even enter the Tower? I was told I just needed an ID to go to the upper levels of the Tower, not that I needed an ID to even gain entrance!” “I’m sorry, sir, that’s not my problem. Once you get an ID, you are more than welcome to set up shop inside the Tower, sell your wares to Guardians, but you cannot do that without an ID.” The man’s pinched cheeks flushed, turning beet red. “T-this is unacceptable! I don’t even know where to get an ID! How am I supposed to know this, I’ve never been told the Tower’s policies!” “That’s not my issue, sir, keep your voice down.” The short man, face entirely red, turned on his heel and stomped off, beyond infuriated. The Hunter sighed, and leaned against the Tower. Very few Guardians had been down here for so long, and almost no Hunters resided on that list. He had taken up the suggestion of Zavala, a highly regarded Titan inside the Vanguard, to keep an eye on the front door of the Tower, one of the few. All but one had been lost in the first vey years of the City’s occupation, during the War of Lords. During such, several Guardians commanded armies to try and take each other’s Towers, with the one that was used now being the only remaining, operable one. It was rumored that Lord Saladin, the highest ranking Titan there could be, had a great connection to what had happened, but everything had fallen quiet about it after Saladin came back wearing a banner of golden wolves and armor of regal gold, proclaiming the refurbishing of none of the towers but the only one left. After such, he trained Commander Zavala, and Lord Shaxx, Runner of the Crucible, a Titan. Also a man everyone respected but very few liked. The Hunter cared very little for this, he just drowsily kept watch of the Tower’s door, helmet a dark blue and grey, eyes of feral gold. Everywhere he looked his radar nor his eyes showed anything out of the usual. The Hunter clasped his gloved on each side of his helm and pulled the metal mask off. Pale skin, hair the color of dry grass, eyes the color of a vast ocean, like a mighty wolves stare. The City buzzed with life, even as night rose as the sun set. A crackling in the Hunter’s helm drew his attention to it, and he slipped his helmet back on, and was instantly met with Cayde-6 rambling. “…And if that wasn’t enough, there are so many bounties that we might as well just go after himself ourselves…” more static wracked the Hunter’s ears with an undesirable headache. “…-ven if we did catch him, could we…”more static. “…I’m not so sure.” “Hello, Cayde? Can you hear me?” “Oh, Guardian!” He sounded distant and far off, but the Hunter could tell Cayde-6 was saying he’d be right back. Cayde’s voice erupted once more. “I have a... erm, a request for you. A bounty.” The Hunter paused. “A bounty? What sort of bounty is this, exactly, that you need to contact me personally?” Cayde-6, an apprentice to the Hunter Vanguard leader, Andal Brask, sighed. “I need you to find a specific Ex-Guardian inside the city walls somewhere. He has committed too many crimes against us, the city, and the light, to walk among free men, et cetera. Andal has already placed a bounty on his head, but Xander is under maintenance. He wants this guy taken out ASAP, and you are a prime candidate of exacting his measures. I’d come myself if I could, but Andal doesn’t want me out on the field. Fallen are being loud again.” The Hunter gnawed at what he heard, debating, and he decided a little bounty hunting couldn’t hurt. Law had to be brought somehow, and he was one of the few willing to do it. “Yeah, I might as well. Guarding this door got old anyways.” Cayde laughed his machine laugh that sounded more alive than anyone else he had ever met. “You really took the offer to guard the stupid door? What side?” “West Wall.” Cayde laughed so hard one could mistake his raspy breathing as him dying. Only after regaining his bearings he continued. “Man, that’s something. West is by far the most boring part, but it’s good you are there. Andal says the ‘target’ might be over by the west side of the Wall.” He chuckled again, quietly. “I suggest you start soon, no telling when Xander will be up again.” Cayde disconnected, making a slight crackling sound in the hunter’s ears. A small red and white Ghost appeared in front of the Hunter, and gave him an almost questioning look. “Well, what will you do?” The hunter, cleared his throat. “Go after him, of course. Even a lawless society needs justice, and who else better than the lawless?”