Gilded Truth

A heavy downpour settled over the Last City, worsening the already sour mood. Fireteam Forsaken Dragons returned without Lucifer, and Sam had told the Vanguard that he sacrificed himself to save them. Everyone took the news rather heavily, and even Cayde-6 refrained from making any jokes for a whole week as his mood went downhill.

Any Guardian who thought that it served Lucifer right for being too cocky, they were promptly beat half to death by Wraith if Sigbrand and Sigwulf were too busy with the others. The refugees took the news the hardest though. Sayuri, Amelia, Mac, and the others all cried bitter tears as they begged Sam to tell them he was joking, but he was telling the truth.

The funeral was held publicly and, since they had no body, they put a large plaque in the center of the City, right where Lucifer had said was his favorite spot since you could see the scenery outside of the wall as well as the beautiful city itself all in one glance.

The mood was somber, and Sam would refuse to speak to anyone even when asked if he was okay. Fireteam Forsaken Dragons were given temporary leave to mourn Lucifer's passing, and the Vanguard even declared the day as a tragic event that will be recorded on every calendar, as well as a day to mourn the fallen Guardians who fell protecting the City just like Lucifer.

Days seemed to blur for those who knew Lucifer personally, but for those who didn't, all went back to normal afterwards. Pain, sorrow, grief, and loss are all fickle things, with neither really being the same. For each of them have their own different meaning in times like these.

Wraith was about to head out on a mission alone to take his mind off of the recent events when a voice came from behind him.

"I know where to find your Guardian..."

---

I felt a strange twinge in my heart as I watched a group of Fallen scout around the rocky plains of the Four-Horn Gulch. After I had woke, the Queen of the Awoken, Mara Sov, had taught me how to control the Darkness within me so that I could retain the balance between Light and Darkness. She fed me, provided me with housing, as well as clothes, so I had nothing but gratitude toward her.

However, I knew that I couldn't stay here in the Reef forever. I made my way down from my perch and drew Sol from its new scabbard and lopped off the head of a Vandal sniper. My mission was to clear out these Fallen, and I found myself to be quite thorough these days.

I ran with silent footsteps until I had reached the main group of Fallen scouts and began to wreak havoc. All but one were left killed in an instant. I grabbed the Captain by the neck and asked "Where's the Kell who leads you?" in a cold and monotone voice.

The Captain squirmed and struggled as it asked "Why...would you...do...this...Guardian...?" and struggled for breath. My expression did not change as I responded "I am no Guardian..." before crushing its throat. I sighed and cleaned my bloodied hand and sword before sheathing Sol and staring out at the barren wasteland.

It had only been a few months since my fight with Domenth, but I felt a void in my very soul slowly getting bigger and bigger the longer I was by myself. I shook my head and thought 'No, I can't falter now. I'm too much of a threat to them...' as I continued on with my mission.

I quickly spotted another scouting party and dispatched all but one. I tried to get a Dreg to speak this time, but even the lowest of the low kept their mouths shut. I went through a dozen other parties before, finally, a Vandal had spoke.

It said that their leader was holed up somewhere around the Jetsam of Saturn. I finished the Vandal off before moving toward the location it had said and found a rather large Kell with purple armor. I pulled out my sniper rifle, from the time I had found the armory back in the ruined city, and lined it up with the Kell's ugly face.

I took a deep breath to steady myself before pulling the trigger, blowing the Kell's head off of its shoulders. I stowed my sniper and unsheathed Sol before appearing next to the nearest Fallen and turning into a whirlwind of death. I left none of the bastards alive. I sheathed Sol and looked around at the carnage and devastation I had caused. Yet another reason to stay away from my loved ones.

I sighed and tapped on my earpiece before saying "It's done. I've eliminated the Fallen, my Queen." I heard Mara release a pleasant laughter before saying "Now, you know I don't like it when you call me 'Queen'. Come find me in the Throne Room, I have another mission I would like you to handle." Mara ended the transmission shortly after saying her part.

I stood still for a minute, gazing out at the beautiful stars frozen in space before turning on my heels and speeding through the wasteland before coming across my new personal ship, a gift from Mara. I entered the ship's hull and climbed up a ladder to the cockpit.

I started the ships engines and took off toward the Dreaming City, a place with an inordinate amount of beauty, magical plains that gave off a mysterious vibe, and all kinds of different plant life that I had never seen before. I flew past many Fallen ships on the fringes of the Reef before warping over to my destination.

The Dreaming City was on a large, floating platform with waterfalls cascading down its sides and a large, glowing, magical-like city that stood tall amongst the trees. I flew in next to a large tower and docked my ship at the top. I jumped out and walked past a group of Awoken engineers, who looked at me with hatred and contempt.

The Queen herself and a very small amount of Awoken actually favored me, but the rest of the entire population treated me like a disgusting insect that should be eradicated immediately. They would've tried to kill me if not for their loyalty to Mara. I entered an elevator and clicked the button for the Throne Room.

I took the time to inspect my new scabbard for Sol. I unclipped it from my belt and ran my hand over its pristine, scarlet colored surface. The scabbard was outlined with a gold-blue edge and had a solid black piece of iron around the mouth where the sword would actually enter, making it a very nice fit for Sol in my opinion.

The door slid open and I glanced up to see Mara sitting on a couch on the far side of the room with a faint smile on her face as she swirled a glass of wine around in her hand. I stored Sol and its scabbard in my inventory and walked over to her, bowing politely when I got near. Mara laughed and said "My, no need for the pleasantries. Come, take a seat." as she motioned to the spot next to her.

I sat down and waited for Mara to finish her glass. She eventually shrugged and downed the wine in one go before setting the glass down and patting her lap with her hands. I tilted my head in confusion at her gesture combined with the teasing and playful glimmer in her eyes.

Mara sighed and pulled my head down on to her lap before she started to run her hands through my hair. I looked up at the smiling Queen in confusion as I went to say "Wha-Wait, I should be on a mis-" but she cut me off as she put her finger to my lips and said "Now, now. Rest is crucial. You often forgo rest in order to complete your missions, so my next assignment for you is to relax and take a break."

I furrowed my brows and sunk into deep thought under her comfortable caress. 'Now that I think about it, I haven't slept in...three...days...? Wow, I must be more dedicated...than...I thought...' I mused silently as I felt myself slowly drifting into a deep sleep.

Suddenly, the doors to the room swung open and the clacking of shoes on the floor echoed around the room. I kept my eyes closed as a man went to speak but cut himself off. Mara chuckled and said "Don't worry, brother, I put him into a trance. He won't be waking up anytime soon." I felt Mara pinch the back of my neck before sending a subtle amount of void energy into my body, letting me know that she knew I was awake.

Uldren released a 'hmph' before saying "I don't know why you keep that-that thing as a pet! It is disgusting to look at. No matter, I've come to inform you that my scouts have identified three Guardians on the outskirts of the Reef, and they seem to be looking for something. I suggest that we cause a commotion and use that opportunity to strike at the City while its Guardians are occupied here!"

Mara's voice turned icy as she said "I told you to stay put, Uldren! Do not lay a single finger on those Guardians unless they attack first! Do you want to bring our entire race to extinction?" I heard Uldren clear his throat before muttering "N-No, my Queen..." Mara paused for a second before saying "Get out." in a commanding tone.

I heard Uldren walk back toward the elevator and close the doors. Mara sighed and continued to run her hands through my hair as she said "I'm sorry you had to hear his little outburst. He has an uncanny hatred for Guardians and desires to wipe them out entirely, though I see no merit in that action."

I shook my head and said "No. I won't let him have his way. If he wants to kill the Guardians, then he'll have to go through me first. I'll not let him destroy what I hold dear, even if he's you brother." I waited for Mara's response, but she just continued to comb through my hair as she stared outside of a large window with a small smile.

---

Sam glided along the rocky landscape of a place known as Thieves' Landing in the Tangled Shore. Wraith, Sigbrand, Sigwulf, and, surprisingly, the Ahamkara King and his three children were tagging along disguised as regular pets. The rather interesting group of eight neared a large Fallen structure and found hundreds of bodies scattered around with black flames still dancing about.

Wraith knelt down and put his hand over a piece of the black flames and absorbed it. Wraith sat there in silence for a minute, processing the information he had just gathered, before standing up and saying.

"He's here. He survived..."