Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Nox pulled her coat closer to herself, trying to stave off the freezing wind. Flat gray clouds hovered overhead, cloaking the land in stillness. Ruined buildings bursting with overgrowth towered over her as she slinked through their shadows.

“I don’t like it when you’re quiet, Nox.”

She smirked from under her scarf, eyeing her Ghost. The tiny machine floated closer, letting out an annoyed chirp.

“What are you planning?” She asked.

“The usual.” She replied.

“You’ll keep Kas waiting.”

Nox gave her Ghost a look.

“And…?”

“Let’s do it!” 

Nox smiled, a victory for her. She climbed over some rubble in her path, and her eye caught sight of a marker. It was a tall metal pole, frozen over with ice. Strips of cloth clung to it, whipping in the wind. Just beyond the marker was a small building, with most of its walls caved in. A particularly hardy wall was still standing, covered with white chalk arrows. They pointed in three directions, left, right, and forward, under two of them multiple tally marks were scratched in.

“Some place new?” The Ghost suggested.

“You know it, Chiara,” Nox said, rummaging in her pockets.

She pulled out a piece of chalk, and scratched in a tally under the vacant arrow. Chiara bobbed up and down from an open hole in the walls.

“This way,” she called.

“ ‘kay.” Nox replied, taking a moment to gaze at the arrows. At the adventures she had.

Nox glanced over at Chiara, then did a double take as the Ghost had already started wandering off.

“Hey wait for me!”

She shoved the chalk back in her pocket, and rushed out. Chiara stopped and Nox’s forehead nearly collided with the Ghost’s sharp spikes. She let out a huff, carefully moving around Chiara.

“One of these days I’m actually going to run into you. On purpose.” Nox grumbled.

“Oh no! Then don’t run into me!” Chiara exclaimed, sarcasm dripping from her voice.

“Then stop-“

Chiara whizzed in front of Nox, chirping. 

“Stop-“

Nox moved to the right, but the Ghost moved with her.

“Stop acting like a cat and just float next to me!”

“No, it’s more fun this way,” Chiara said.

Nox rolled her eyes. 

And Kas wonders why I’m late all the time.

——————-

As the duo headed deeper into the ruined city, the more warped the ancient buildings appeared. Surviving roofs were tall and pointed, icicles hanging from the edges. Nox reached what would have been the end of a street, a crumbling wrought iron gate stood ajar. Chiara phased out, disappearing from Nox’s view.

[I’m detecting a large amount of Fallen up ahead Nox, be careful.]

Will do.

Nox unhooked her gun from her back, holding it loosely in her hands. It was a proud replication of the Monte Carlo, blade and all. As Nox pushed the gate open, it let out a grinding screech, making her wince. She stepped into a plaza, a fountain at the center.

A rough cobblestone path circled the plaza, leading to a half destroyed cathedral. Its bell tower stood proud above the rest of the buildings. The top of the tower itself had foggy stained glass windows, withered with age.

The path diverged at the cathedral, trailing off into two separate roads lined with houses. This place was still, and silent.

[This looks beautiful. I’m surprised the cathedral is still standing.] Chiara said in awe.

Before Nox could get a word in, the howl of Fallen behind her startled her. She whirled around, the barrel of her gun meeting a group of Vandals.

How did they get behind me?!

[No time for that, run!]

Nox obeyed, retreating into the plaza, taking a few shots at the Vandals. She dashed towards the trailing paths, hoping to lose them. She came to a halt as more Fallen appeared from up the paths. They came in floods from hiding in the ruins. 

Her thoughts were racing. This wouldn’t end well. As Nox ran back towards the plaza, she caught a glimpse of a Captain in the lead, a red cape flowing from behind it.With nowhere else to go, Nox threw herself through a collapsed wall of the cathedral.

We’re going to get trapped in here, there’s too many! Nox thought, diving behind a stack of pews.

[We won’t! I can see an exit at the top of the bell tower.] Chiara said.

The Fallen were already making their way in, bottlenecked by the collapsed walls. Nox peaked out from her cover, spotting a set of stairs across the cathedral. They were her only way to ascend, but they were exposed. Nox cast a glance at the Fallen, they would find her hiding spot in seconds. She tightened her grip on her weapon.

She needed a distraction.

Nox sucked in a breath, closing her eyes. Calling upon her light, she felt the weight of a scatter grenade in her hand. Dark purple light swirled around her, and she let out a breath.

3…2…1…

Nox popped up from her cover, throwing it into the crowd of Fallen. It exploded in a flash of purple and white light, eviscerating her pursuers. She dashed for the stairs, taking shots at the Fallen. Once she reached the stairs, she dared a glance behind her. Dread curled in her stomach as more Fallen had already replaced the downed ones. They had seen her.

Nox scrambled up the stairs, hissing as bullets hit their mark. She braved another shot at the Fallen as she reached the top of the stairs. Pain burst from her hand up her arm as a stray bullet slammed into her gun. It was knocked from her hand, landing several feet away. Silently swearing, Nox swerved to the next set of stairs. The Fallen were gaining on her, she didn’t have time to retrieve her weapon.

As she climbed, skeletons appeared on the stairs. They silently observed her hasty escape. Breath ragged, and legs burning, Nox forced herself up and up. As she came to the next flight, she saw an ancient door at the top.

Finally!

Nox paused as she reached the door, catching her breath. She tried the handle. Locked. With a grunt, she threw her shoulder against it. It gave way easily, breaking into bits of wood and splinters. Nox coughed as she entered, waving away dust kicked up from the debris. 

The room was tall, with a collection of wooden beams close to the top. The bell that would’ve been here was long gone. The skeletons she’d seen on her way up were concentrated here, littering the room.

“Chiara, there’s no opening here!” Nox said.

[We’re going to have to make one then.]

Nox eyed the window, then glanced back towards the stairs. The Fallen’s thundering footsteps were growing louder by the second. She needed a weapon, or something hardy to use. She turned her gaze to the skeletons, surveying them.

[I don’t like what you’re thinking, Nox.]

I’m not smashing through glass with my bare shoulder.

There was a particular skeleton slumped against a corner. It held what looked to be a spear, but the long blade was detached from the staff. It was instead connected to a primitive barrel of a gun. Nox grabbed it, gritting her teeth as flakes of corroded metal covered her hands.

I hope this thing can shoot. She thought, finding a trigger as she ran her hands along the spear.

Nox leveled the spear at the window, and pulled the trigger. A shuddering boom came from the barrel as a volley of bullets shattered the window. Nox grinned, giddy. She ran, leaping through the window as the Fallen burst into the tower. She activated her glide, catching her descent. 

Before she could safely reach the ground, weight slammed into her back. Taking her breath, Nox crashed to the ground, letting out a yelp as she landed on her shoulder. Dazed, she rolled over. Distantly she heard the Fallen howl. Nox steeled herself, tightening her grip on the spear. She rose to her knees, leaning against the weapon to get to her feet. 

She laid eyes on what had hit her. It was the Captain, its breath clouding in front of it. Nox narrowed her eyes, why didn’t it kill her? The Captain let out a hissing growl, drawing swords from its side. It made no move to attack her, though. It was waiting. Nox blinked, she understood now.

It wanted to fight her.

She cracked a smile, flipping the spear over in her hands. 

Never a bad time to try a new weapon.

Nox rushed the Captain, swinging the spear low. The Captain dodged, feinting to her left. She was too slow with her hefty weapon, taking a ripping blow to her shoulder. Nox bit her lip, pulling through the pain as her arms shook.

She let out a shout, whipping around, throwing the spear in an arc. It clashed against the Captain’s swords, the metal letting out a resounding echo through the plaza. Nox gritted her teeth, pushing against the Captain’s guard. Her ancient weapon groaned as it broke through, the blade ramming into its shoulder. The barrel was poised against the Captain’s neck. Nox pulled the trigger.

The weapon let out a ca-click. 

No bullets tore through the Capitan’s throat.

Shit.

The Captain chittered at her failed plan. It pushed out the spear, throwing Nox off balance. Before she could recover, a clawed foot slammed into her stomach. She gasped, thrown to the ground. The Captain loomed over her, then kicked the spear out of her hands. It clattered a few feet away.

Nox turned, reaching towards it. The Captain stabbed through her hand, making her scream. Despite the pain, Nox closed her eyes, focusing on the weapon, her way out. The presence of the Captain was there, then it wasn’t.

She opened her eyes. She was back to her weapon. The Captain growled, and Nox grinned. As the Captain rushed her, she let out a breath. She waited. The Captain was upon her, bringing its swords down. It was too reckless, its stance too wide. Nox grabbed the spear, her body low. With a shout, she swung the glaive forward. It stabbed through the Captain’s chest.

Nox murmured a prayer as she pulled the trigger again.

Miraculously the spear sprang to life. The volley of bullets tore through the Captain as it screamed. The force of the blast knocked Nox back. She landed on her behind and the Captain fell, dead. 

Nox sat there, stunned by the power of the spear. She was snapped by it as a Fallen howled. They would want revenge. Nox took the spear from the corpse. With one last look at the cathedral, she escaped the plaza.

——————-

Nox raced back to the Last City, buzzing with excitement.

“Chiara, I don't know about you, but I feel powerful. Didja see how I bested that Captain?”

“Yes, I did. You nearly died though.” Chiara said dryly.

Nox’s lips drew a thin line as she looked down at her Ghost. 

“Can you sound a little happier for me?”

“I don’t want to sound like Kas, but you’ve still got a lot more training ahead of you.”

“Of course you always take his side.”

“I do not!” 

“Yes you do!”

They descended into bickering for the rest of the way there. It finally let up as they transmatted to the apartment district of the Last City. Nox rushed to her friend’s apartment, and without knocking, burst through the door.

“Tal I found something amazing!”

The foyer of the apartment led to a living room, but her friend was nowhere to be seen. His head popped out from an arch that led to the kitchen.

“What’d you find?” He asked, unfazed by her entrance.

Nox waved him over to the couch in the living room, and as he approached, his Ghost zipped by him. Tal was a pale skinned awoken, with short white hair. He held a steaming cup of tea and a plate of sandwiches. Tal sat on the couch while Nox stood opposite to him.

“So… While I was out on patrol today in the EDZ I was suddenly swarmed by a bunch of Fallen. They cornered me and I lost my Monte Carlo. But, I found a new weapon!”

Nox jerked her head at Chiara, and she transmatted the spear onto the coffee table.

“I got to fight a Fallen Captain with this, you should’ve seen me Tal!” 

“Wow. This thing looks ancient, it still works?” Tal asked.

“It uh, had a bit of a hiccup during the fight, but besides that it still works pretty well.”

“Leo, look it up, I want to see how old it is.” Tal said.

“Already on it,” Leo replied.

In the light of the apartment, Nox could see that the spear looked even worse for wear. It was crusted and tarnished, with bits of ragged cloth that clung to it.

“What’s this?” Tal asked, pointing to a large hooked part of the glaive. It sat just above the trigger for the gun.

“I don’t know, I didn’t get the chance to see what that did.” Nox said.

She ran her hand along it, then gripped it and pulled it down. With a groaning ca-chunk! The weapon transformed, the blade resting over the barrel of the gun.

Nox gasped in delight, “it’s a trick weapon! I knew this’ll be the one for me.”

“That’s great! Though, you aren’t going to use this old thing, right?”

“Of course not, I’m bringing it to Alex right away,” Nox said.

“Tell Alex I said hi, and eat something before you go!”

——————-

Nox transmatted in a burst of light. She had made her way to one of the many warehouses that belonged to the Datio foundry. She zigzagged her way through the facility, passing rows of boxes, shipping containers, and defunct machinery. The maze soon opened up to a clearing, the clutter of the warehouse hastily moved out of the way. On the far end was a large doorway that led to an office. Crowning the door were similar weapons to Nox’s own.

I hope she’s awake. Nox thought.

“Alex?” She called, making her way over to the doorway.

Inside the office was a mess. Parts of guns, swords, and glaives were strewn across the floor. In the midst of the pile was a large desk, blueprints and machinery stacked on it.

Alex was on a stool, slumped over the desk, snoring. Her long brown hair was tied back in a ratty ponytail that fell past her shoulders. Nox couldn’t help but smile upon seeing her friend.

“Stayed up too late again?”

Alex didn’t move. Nox rolled her eyes, going over to the desk and slamming her spear on it. She jolted awake.

“Nox! Oh hey!” She quickly said, startled from the weapon mere inches from her face.

“I found another one.” Nox said, grinning.

Alex rubbed her hands together, eyeing the spear. 

“Where’d you get it?” Alex asked, running a hand across it.

“EDZ, as usual,” Nox replied.

“I found this but… I lost the Monte Carlo,”

Alex whipped around, aghast, “you lost the Monte Carlo?!”

Nox shuffled back and forth on her feet.

“Yeah.” 

“I spent so much time on that! It was perfect!”

Alex sighed, then shook her head.

“It’s… It's fine Nox.” She said, murmuring to herself as she turned back to the spear.

She pulled it closer, surveying it.

“You want it fixed up?”

“Actually I want it to be upgraded. I don’t want it failing on me.”

“Good idea, I’ll-“

A robotic clear of the throat cut off their chatter. Chiara flew around to face Nox. She hadn’t even realized that the Ghost had come out.

“I don’t want to ruin the fun, but I was just contacted by Kas. We still need to report to him.”

Nox was about to retort, but Chiara’s tone gave her pause.

“Sheesh, you're still reporting to that guy?” Alex asked.

“Yeah, and I need to go now.” Nox said.

Alex turned to face her, leaning against the desk.

“It’s not the end of the world if you don’t report to your mentor, besides this is more important,”

“It might as well be! If Kas contacts me it’s important!” Nox said.

She then rushed out of the office, but stopped halfway across the clearing. Nox dashed back to the office.

“How long will it take?”

“It’ll be done in a few days,” Alex said, giving her a thumbs up.

“Thanks Alex!” Nox called over her shoulder.

Chapter Text

“Sorry I’m late Kas,” Nox said, closing the door behind her.

“It’s alright, I planned on you being late anyway,” he flatly replied.

Nox exchanged a glance with Chiara, then sat down on one of the many chairs spread around the office. Her mentor’s office was large, with a window looking out to a courtyard where they sparred. His desk, while piled with many things, was organized. Kas attention was at the desk, facing away from Nox. She waited for him to address her, but he was silent.

“Kas?”

“Hmm?”

“Are you going to ask me how my patrol went?”

“Oh… yes,” he said, turning around to Nox.

Nox’s lips pressed to a thin line.

This isn’t like him. She thought.

[You said it.]

“Are you okay? You seem distracted.” Nox said.

Kas let out a breath, scratching the back of his neck. He glanced back to his desk. He looked uncharacteristically torn, as if he was unsure of what he was about to say.

“Recently a member of our order deserted us. What’s worse is that the Guardian has come in contact with stasis. They have been corrupted by the darkness, and I have been ordered to hunt them down.”

“Oh…”

One of our own.

“When are you going? Can I come with you?” Nox asked.

Kas waved his hands dismissively.

“Of course not. It’s too dangerous for you, even with me there.”

“I can handle it! I defeated a Fallen Captain while on patrol today,”

“Nox, fighting a Guardian is much more different than a Fallen.”

“But-“

“Drop it. You won’t come with me, got it?” 

Nox shut her mouth.

Kas narrowed his eyes, then let out a sigh. He rose from his chair, and rested a hand on Nox’s shoulder.

“Nox, if you want to take your role as a member of the Praxic Order seriously, you will ignore something like this. They’re just another Guardian in need of our help.” He said.

“Alright.” Nox murmured, trying to convince herself.

Kas smiled, “ready for some training?”

——————

Nox got home late that night. She dragged her feet to the door of Tal’s apartment, then slowly opened it. She tiptoed to the guest room. With a heavy sigh she flopped down on the bed. Chiara lazily floated over to a hammock in the corner of the room and laid down.

Nox settled down, closing her eyes. Despite the comfort of the bed, her thoughts raced. She rolled over, letting out a sigh.

That Guardian.

They were one of us.

Someone just like me.

Are they scared?

“Another sleepless night?” Chiara asked from their hammock.

Nox shifted, staring up at the ceiling.

“Sorry… I just keep-”

“-thinking about the Guardian?”

Nox rolled over again, as if it would help. She stared at Chiara’s blue eye, softly illuminating the dark.

“Nox, Kas told you not to worry about it, can’t you keep it at that?”

“I’m trying to but this is the first Praxic Guardian I’ve heard of that has been corrupted by the darkness.”

“Nox…”

“What if I go after them?”

“By yourself? Kas said no,”

“He doesn’t have to know. I can find out what this Guardian is like for myself. Maybe I can prove to Kas that I can do it.”

“Wait, hold on we aren’t doing this, like right now, right? Maybe we should sleep on it.”

“Are you opposed to this?” Nox challenged.

“I-” Chiara started, but it ended in a sigh.

“Instead of running face first into something like this, maybe we should consult Tal or Alex.”

Nox tilted her head in thought.

“Not a bad idea.” She mused.

——————

Tal joined Nox and Alex at the warehouse a couple days later. He leaned against the doorway, observing Alex’s work.

“What is it, Nox?” He prompted.

“Well…” She hedged.

“Kas told me that a Praxic Order Guardian has succumbed to the darkness, and is being hunted down. He said he’s part of the search.”

“And let me guess,” Alex said, looking up from her work, “he isn’t letting you come with him.”

“So? I want to go, maybe I can-“

“No,”

They both turned to Tal.

“Nox, are you sure? Is Kas telling the truth?”

Nox frowned, crossing her arms. She wasn’t surprised, he always questioned what her mentor had to say. Even if she saw this coming, it still annoyed her.

“Of course! He wouldn’t lie to me,” she said.

“And what about Kas’s boss? How do you know they didn’t lie to him?” 

Her simmering annoyance burned, turning to anger.

“I thought you’d be on my side.”

“I’m not-”

“Okay then, what does Alex think?” Nox snapped.

She held up her hands in mock defeat.

“I’m not a Guardian. This is something you two should figure out.” She said, pointedly going back to her work.

Nox opened her mouth to retort, but Tal interrupted.

“Nox, if you really want to go out and hunt Guardians for the Praxics, you should train more. I can take you to a Crucible match if you want.” He suggested.

“No thanks,” 

Tal sighed.

Alex cleared her throat, “I don’t want to interrupt, but I’m done with the spear.”

Nox turned to Alex, the argument forgotten. Her friend stood, picking up the weapon and placing it in her hands. 

It was lighter in weight compared to the original. The spear itself was relatively the same, but it had been polished and upgraded with a pristine look. Instead of a rusted, fading staff, it had been painted blue and silver at Nox’s request. It was sleek, and more than ready for battle.

“How about we take a break and test this bad boy out?” Alex suggested, glancing back and forth at Tal and Nox.

Nox gripped her weapon, “sure,” she coolly said.

Alex eagerly clapped her hands and scurried out of the office. Nox slowly followed, but was stopped by Tal. 

“What?” Nox hissed.

“Give yourself time to think about this, Nox. Then decide what you want to do.”

“Fine.” She said, pushing past him into the warehouse.

Alex hummed, running a hand down the wall of displayed weapons. With a smile, she took one off the wall. It was a large serrated blade that was turned inward towards its long staff-like handle. Where the blade met the handle there was a circular mechanism which allowed the blade to snap out from its resting place, giving the user more reach. 

Alex threw Nox some notched rubber. She placed it on her blade, giving it a blunted surface. Alex did the same to her own weapon, then took her position at the opposite end of the clearing. Tal hovered by the office door, watching them.

“Ready?”

Nox rolled her shoulders, and tested her spear. She flipped it over in her hands before finding where it naturally settled in her grip. Then, Nox gave her friend a nod.

They circled each other, sizing each other up. They had done this many times, as they waited to see who would strike first. Nox did not hesitate to rush Alex. She kept herself low, her weapon close to her. Alex grinned, whipping out her arm, extending her own weapon into its transformation.

Nox swerved to her opponent's side, lashing out with her spear. Her friend was quick, dodging a breath away from her blade. Her response was a flash as it connected to Nox’s side. Sharp pain bloomed where it hit her as she stumbled from the blow. Alex pressed her advantage, swinging the back of the staff towards Nox. She was knocked to the floor with a jab to her jaw.

“Ow…” Nox groaned.

She heard a sigh of disappointment from Alex, “even with your new fancy weapon you still can’t beat me,”

Nox, flush with anger, scrambled back onto her feet. Eye to eye with Alex.

“Again.” She hissed.

Alex grinned, “gladly,”

——————

Nox winced as she sat down next to Kas. She had accumulated multiple bruises from sparring with Alex. Despite her efforts, her friend had beat her in every round. 

Kas and Nox were outside in the small courtyard that his office overlooked. From where they were sitting they had a perfect view of the Traveler. Right now Nox was supposed to be meditating, an activity she would love to be doing. Kas had told her meditating brings her closer to her power, and by extension, the Traveler. 

Nox let out a huff, and figited, trying to get comfortable. Her thoughts were too busy. Every time she tried to focus her thoughts came back to Tal. 

“Having trouble?” Kas mused.

Nox opened her eyes and sighed, giving him a nod.

“What’s bothering you?”

She avoided his gaze, looking down at her clasped hands in her lap. How could she explain she got into an argument with her friend over something he had told her to ignore? She’d get scolded, but there wasn’t any way around it.

“This’ll sound bad, but I couldn’t stop thinking about the corrupted Guardian.”

“Nox-!” Kas started.

“I know! You said I shouldn’t worry about it, but it’s much easier said than done, alright?”

Kas opened his mouth to say something, then closed it. He looked conflicted.

“Would your worries cease if we put you in contact with the Guardian once we get them back to the city?”

“Maybe, I- I don’t know. But this isn’t the point, since it’s been bothering me I brought it up to Tal and Alex.” Nox said.

Kas scoffed at the mention of her friends.

“I kind of got into an argument with Tal. He said you weren’t telling the truth about the corrupted Guardian.”

Disdain crossed Kas’s face.

“Of course he’d say something like that to you.” He hissed.

“Nox have I told you the reason why I distrust that Titan?”

“…No,” she quietly replied.

“He was a part of a dead order. They demanded that they be paid for their time protecting our city. For their petty greed they were exiled.”

Kas rested a hand on her shoulder. She raised her gaze to meet his own.

“Nox, I wouldn’t trust someone like him.”

“Kas-“

“As your mentor all I want to do is protect you, and be your guiding light as you become a full fledged Guardian. I would never, never lie to you, got it?”

Nox slowly nodded.

Kas then pulled her into a hug, catching her off guard.

“Nox, I care about you. It’s been my greatest honor to train you.” He whispered.

Nox closed her eyes, returning his hug.

“Thank you, Kas,”

Chapter Text

Nox didn’t return to Tal’s apartment that night. Instead she stayed in her office, pacing. It was equipped with a cot, as she often spent days holed up in the office without coming out. She had intended to rest, but her thoughts were far too jumbled to even lie down. She finally came to the conclusion to leave tonight, if she wasn’t going to get sleep anyway.

“You’ve made up your mind, haven't you?” Chiara said.

Nox eyed her Ghost, “are you going to stop me?”

“I’d be wasting our time if I tried. All I can do is help you.”

Nox smiled, giving Chiara’s shell a pat.

“Thanks Chiara. I’m glad I can count on you,”

Chiara chirped happily, bobbing up and down. Nox then packed her things, rations, extra weapons, and cold weather gear. She glanced at a datapad, the one she had stolen from Kas. She’d have to remind herself to return it to him once she got back. It held all the information the Praxic Order had on the corrupted Guardian.

He was a warlock who specialized in solar named Lucas Hale. He deserted the Order to go to Europa and gain Stasis. There was a small picture of him in his armor, with a usual warlock mask covering his face. The armor itself was burnt orange and white, he would stick out against the snow of Europa. He was last seen nearby Astrion Abyss.

Nox was crouched over her pack, staring at the datapad. 

This is who I’ll be finding…

“Nox, you ready?” Chiara asked.

She ripped her gaze away from the screen, and shoved the datapad into her pack.

“Yeah,” she replied.

Together they left the office, passing by others as they walked. Nox paused as they reached Kas’s. She knew that once her mentor found out that she had gone off on her own, he’d be furious. A small part of her hoped that he’d understand her decision, and forgive her for her course of action.

Chiara urged her forward, and she reluctantly caught up with her Ghost. They exited the offices into the apartment district. As they made a beeline to the hanger, Nox threw a glance back over her shoulder. Along with her silent plea for forgiveness from Kas, she hoped Tal wouldn’t worry too much over her.

Even though it was late at night, the hanger still bustled with activity. Ships and Guardians came in and out. Nox herself hadn’t been to the hanger in a while. Last time she had to be dragged here by Chiara, who demanded she buy a new ship to replace her old one. 

She found where her ship was docked and transmatted into it. With a deep breath, Nox punched in the coordinates to Europa. She exchanged an excited glance with Chiara as they flew off into the night.

——————

Nox was roused from sleep as Chiara lightly bumped her shoulder.

“We’re here,” she quietly said.

“Whoa…” Nox murmured, sitting up in her seat as her ship descended onto Europa.

“It’s beautiful,”

“Yeah,” Chiara replied in agreement.

“Wait, this is important Nox! We are on a mission, we have no time to enjoy the scenery.”

Nox chuckled, “it seems like your more serious about this than I am,”

“One of us has to be.”

With that Nox and Chiara transmatted out of the ship. A sharp gust of wind greeted them, sending a shiver down Nox’s spine. Even with all her layers on, the cold still found a way to pierce her.

“I landed us about halfway between Astrion and the Beyond. I was-”

“Why?” Nox groaned.

“You know I don’t want to be anywhere near Stasis!”

“If you’ll let me finish, I put us here so we could check Beyond for any clues. Lucas came here to get Stasis, right? Maybe he left behind something that’ll lead us to him.” Chiara said.

Nox crossed her arms, quietly grumbling to herself.

“And, if we don’t find anything we can just come back up north and I’ll admit I was wrong about making you go down there.”

“Alright, to the Beyond it is then.”

Nox started her trudge through the snow as Chiara phased out. Europa was barren, and quiet. Glaciers of snow and ice formed the landscape, occasionally glowing with eerie red light. Ravines cut through the land, so deep that Nox couldn’t see the bottom.

“I’m surprised, why haven’t we encountered any enemies yet?” Nox wondered.

[Europa is massive. There’s a lot of space between Vex lairs and House Salvation patrols. We should be fine as long as we avoid anything that looks like a building.]

As Chiara finished her explanation, the two fell into silence. The only sound being the crunch of snow beneath Nox’s boots and the chilling gusts of wind.

“Chiara… Do you think we can trust Tal?” Nox whispered.

The Ghost was silent. Nox could feel a wave of uncertainty pulse across their bond. A soft sigh echoed through her head.

[Tal and Kas both cautioned you against coming after this Lightbearer. I think they both want to keep you safe.]

“I know that. But what Kas told me…”

[Kas and Tal have told you many things about each other. What I think is that they are trying to make the other seem worse. It’s a petty dispute.]

Nox wrinkled her nose.

“That doesn’t sound right,”

[Then what do you think?]

She threw up her hands in exasperation.

“I don’t know!” She huffed.

[We can talk to them once we get back. Besides, we should focus on this Lightbearer. What's your plan once we find him?]

“Capture him, take him back to the Last City and turn him into the Praxic Order. Mission accomplished, I’m recognized for my abilities and I get to climb the ranks of the Order.” Nox said, smiling at the thought of Kas’s surprise once she returned with the Lightbearer in tow.

[Glad to know you’ve got a plan.]

——————

Nox had underestimated how long it would take to get to the Beyond. She insisted on getting there without rest, as she wanted to make her stop there as quickly as possible. In her rush, she got caught in a snowstorm. Nox could feel Chiara’s want to scold her, but now was not the time. She needed to find shelter.

Howling wind whipped around her, and freezing snow fell in cascades. Nox could barely see a few feet in front of her as she cautiously kept foraging her path forward. She could hardly hear her thoughts over the wind.

A bright red light suddenly cut through the perpetual gray of the storm. It beckoned Nox. Perhaps she had found a structure to take refuge in.

She picked up her pace, hope blooming in her chest. The light progressively brightened, and Nox had to shield her eyes against it. As if on command the raging storm died. Nox’s ears rang from the absence of noise. As the storm cleared, her breath caught as her surroundings were revealed.

A black pyramid dominated the sky. Similar architecture stuck out from the snow, and black stairs led to a rectangular arch. It was a display of something alien, it unnerved her. It was too quiet, too still compared to the natural landscape of Europa. 

This is the Beyond, right Chiara? Nox thought.

Her Ghost didn’t answer her. Nox’s heart skipped a beat.

Chiara?

She reached across the bond. Chiara was there, but why wasn’t she responding? Was it this place?

“At last, I have found you,” a voice rumbled.

Nox whipped around, spear at the ready. But, she nearly dropped her weapon as she saw who had spoken.

Six red eyes met her own. A towering creature loomed over her. Despite its terrifying size, it looked almost regal with a mane of white fur, contrasted against its dark skin. 

Nox took a step back, her stomach roiling just by looking at it. It wasn’t a Fallen, and it looked organic, so it wasn’t a Vex either. 

“W-what are you?” Nox stuttered out.

“Do not be afraid, Nox. I am here to help you. I am the Traveler’s Boon. I grant Guardians what they need to help them on their missions.” It said,

A boon?

Nox took another hesitant step back, nearly swaying. Was this a dream? Someone playing a trick on her?

She narrowed her eyes at the creature, this ‘boon’. It smiled, revealing a line of sharp teeth as long as Nox’s arm.

“I don’t believe you. I’ve never heard of such a thing,” Nox said.

“I will admit I am a bit reclusive. But I assure you I am real.”

“Prove it.” Nox snapped.

The creature- Boon she called it, started to circle Nox. Its long tufted tail whipped back and forth.

“Prove it?” Boon let out a rumbled chuckle.

“If I wasn’t what I say I am, then how would I know that you wish to be recognized by your peers for your work? That your here to prove yourself to your mentor Kas, and the Praxic Order,”

Boon leaned in close to Nox.

“That you long for more power…”

Nox swallowed. It was right.

If this boon is real then I must take it. It is offering to help me after all. She thought.

“Your mission is important, Nox. You want to complete it, right?”

“I do…”

Nox faced Boon.

“I want it, give the boon to me,”

As the words left her mouth, a shiver raked down her spine. Deep seated coldness bloomed in her chest and spread through her body. Nox doubled over, clutching herself. Something wrong pushed against her insides. She couldn’t speak, she could only gasp for air as she convulsed.

She hadn’t realized her knees hit the ground as her limbs grew numb and frozen. This wasn’t right. Through the haze of pain, Nox’s gaze searched for Boon. But, it had disappeared, and Nox was alone.

Chapter Text

The next thing Nox felt was cold. Her thoughts were cloudy as she rose, eyes bleary as she took in her surroundings.

“Nox! Can you hear me?”

Chiara’s panicked voice snapped Nox into clarity.

“I-I can hear you, Chiara,” Nox said as the Ghost flew around her.

“What happened?” Nox asked.

“You stopped responding to me during the storm, then you passed out,”

Nox squinted at her Ghost.

“No, that's not what happened…”

A chill ran down her spine as she recollected what had happened to her.

“Chiara I didn’t pass out, I met someone here at the Beyond,”

Chiara hovered closer, blue eye imploring.

“They were an odd looking creature, and they said they would help us with our mission. But they lied, whatever they did to me, it didn’t feel right,”

Chiara was quiet.

“Did they ask you anything, like what you wish for, your desires, goals?”

A shot of painful realization struck her. Nox swayed.

“No… This can’t be true, they are all dead-!”

“Nox I- bzzt- you need to- bzzt-”

Static interrupted the Ghost, her eye blinking on and off. Chiara hovered, shaking, before dropping. Nox gasped, catching Chiara in her hands.

“Chiara-!” Nox shouted, heart beating painfully in her chest.

“Chiara!”

Nox cradled her as her blue eye flickered out.

Nox frantically looked around, still knelt in the freezing snow. Endless fields of ice broken up by glaciers were her only witnesses. Hot tears burned against her eyes as she stared down at Chiara.

“Why did you leave?” She whispered, her throat choked with emotion.

She curled in on herself, clutching her lifeless Ghost close to her chest. She didn’t care that she was freezing or that she had made a selfish wish. Chiara was gone, and an emptiness in her chest wouldn’t even begin to describe her grief. A sudden buzz from the shell sent pin pricks up Nox’s arms. Blinking away tears from her eyes, she held up Chiara. Her Ghost shook, slowly rising from her hands. With one last buzz, a single red eye blinked back at her. 

“You took awhile to find out who I was, Guardian.”

Nox scrambled backwards, her gaze terrified. 

“W-what did you do, Ahamkara?! Where’s Chiara?” She demanded.

What was once Chiara rolled their eye.

“Oh don’t worry about it. She’s fine, you haven’t lost your precious light,”

Nox glared at them.

“You tricked me!” She hissed.

They chuckled, and Nox’s anger rose to her throat. She lunged forward, grasping the Ghost.

“What have you done to me, Boon?” She spat their name like a curse on her tongue.

“What you wished for. I gave you power,”

Nox curled her lip and squeezed, pricking her hands on the shell.

“I didn’t ask for that. It feels wrong,”

The red eye turned up into a smile. Nox tightened her grip, and the Ghost flared.

“Careful now,” Boon drawled.

“Just what would happen if your own Ghost was destroyed?”

Nox froze.

A tense silence passed as Nox stared at the Ghost. Her Ghost. She let out a growl of frustration, releasing Boon.

“Glad to see you did the smart thing,” they said, flaring their shell as if they were shaking off Nox’s touch.

Nox looked away, her hands curling into fists.

“We should get going, another storm is approaching.”

“I’m not going,” Nox said.

Boon let out an annoyed sigh.

“Are all Guardian’s as petulant as you? Would you prefer to die out here?”

“No-!”

“Well?” They prompted.

Nox clenched her teeth, baring them in a silent snarl. She wanted to argue more, but they had made their point. In the back of her mind, she wondered if they would bother to revive her if she died. She concluded that she wouldn’t take the risk. Not right now. 

Begrudgingly she stood up, and started her journey.

——————

Nox slowly traveled back north, and sequestered herself in a cave before the storm hit. She paced back and forth, her thoughts racing. Boon hovered, watching her. She couldn’t take her mind off Chiara, wondering if her Ghost was okay.

“Why did you possess Chiara?” She quietly asked.

The ahamkara sighed, as if they were bored.

“That infernal machine of yours would get in the way of my feeding,” they said.

A shiver was cast down her spine.

“You are feeding off of me?”

“I am a living creature after all. Like you I need to eat, and your wish is quite nourishing,”

Their murmured words and ghosted breath raised the hairs on Nox’s neck. The Ghost was in front of her, but their voice came from behind. She could feel their satisfied grin. Her stomach roiled. If they fed off her wish, then what was it that they had given her? 

“What did you do to me?” Nox whispered.

“I already answered that. You’re a warlock, right? They’re smart, figure it out,”

Nox bristled, but did not snap back at them. All she could do was follow what they said. There thankfully weren’t any physical changes to her, but there was a certain wrongness she had felt since her wish. Her training with Kas came to mind. The first time he had instructed her on meditation.

“Sit still Nox,” Kas said.

“I’m bored,” she complained, crossing her arms, giving her mentor a side eye.

“You won’t get far if you don’t connect with your power,” he replied.

“Can I do something else?”

He sighed, “Nox, the Traveler blessed us with Light. It is our strength, our power, the very thing that makes us Guardians. Meditating will help us draw upon it. To be in tune with your Light will let you harness and cultivate the power you hold,”

Nox blinked, struck at her mentor's explanation.

“That sounds so cool,” she said.

Kas chuckled, and sat down next to her. 

“Alright then, sit still and close your eyes,”

Nox felt tears prick at the back of her eyes from the memory. 

I failed Kas, and went against his orders. She thought.

Nox swallowed, swiping the tears away as she sat down at the back of the cave. She straightened her back, and angled her legs so she was sitting criss-crossed. Boon had gone surprisingly quiet as she contemplated.

Good. 

[I am still here.] They said dryly from her mind.

Nox jolted, “get out of my head!” She hissed.

Apparently she hadn’t seen them phase out, but they made themselves known as they appeared in front of her.

“You could ask a little nicer,” Boon said, annoyed.

Nox let out a huff, and forced herself to relax. She wouldn’t get anywhere if she kept arguing with them. She closed her eyes, focusing inward. Around her, the sounds of the world slowly quieted. Gradually, all she could hear was her steady heartbeat.

When Nox meditated, she would find herself wrapped in a blanket of stars. An endless expanse of a purple sky would embrace her. Guardian’s often described the void as emptiness, and Nox disagreed with them. It was the space between the galaxy around them. It was everything that could not and could be. 

But, she was not greeted with her familiar surroundings. Deep seated cold encased her inside. A blinding darkness had formed, and an unknown forest of pillared ice loomed over her. Terror crept into her chest as she took it all in. She started running, as if she could outpace her own dawning realization of what she had wished for.

She went to the edge of this place, and as she neared, her surroundings warped at awkward angles. Heart thumping, movement at the edge of her vision caught her eye. 

Something was in the darkness.

Before Nox could move, a clawed hand grabbed her cloak. Her stomach dropped as she was ripped forwards. She yelped, scrambling for purchase. Her eyes darted around the darkness. A pair of mismatched orange and red eyes met her own, demanding her attention.

Fear gripped her chest, she did not want to see what that thing was. She shut her eyes, struggling against the clawed hand. In an instant, it was gone. Nox blinked. She was back to herself.

Out of breath, she gasped for air. She backed up,  pressing against the cave wall. Her gaze landed on Boon.

“You gave me stasis?!” She cried.

“I gave you more than just stasis, Nox,”

She barely heard them. They hadn’t just cut her off from Chiara, her void was gone too. How would she explain this if she went back? And, more pressingly, could they get rid of Boon? Nox clutched her head, this was wrong. 

Silently she cursed Boon for tricking her.

If I go back, I’ll be banished from the Praxic Order!

Already she could imagine Kas’s disappointment in her as he and the order turned their backs on her. 

No. She couldn’t give up now. She could go back to the Last City and beg for forgiveness, or appeal to the order. A dark thought settled in her gut as her mind wandered to the very reason she came here in the first place. 

The Guardian. I can still capture them. If I prove that then I surely won’t be kicked out. Nox thought.

“I like your thinking,” Boon said.

Nox tensed. In her panic she had forgotten about the ahamkara. She narrowed her eyes.

“Once I get back to the Last City, you're dead,” she growled.

Boon barked a laugh, “good luck with that!”

——————

As Nox traveled, it was anything but interesting. All she could do was keep going north. The endless snow and glaciers became boring, and while the occasional buildings were nice to see, she steered clear of them. She caught glimpses of Fallen patrols, but she could easily sneak past them without conflict. 

Nox was alone, her Ghost was gone, with a snarky ahamkara as a replacement. After a few days of travel and little conversation between them, Nox’s curiosity got the best of her.

“You’ve said that you have given me more than stasis, so what else?” She asked.

[You must find out for yourself.] Boon replied.

Nox rolled her eyes, “I don’t even know why I asked,”

The ahamkara dramatically sighed.

[It would be so boring if I told you. I’m trying to have some fun here.] They said,

Nox recoiled.

“You think this is fun?!” She growled.

[It’s certainly entertaining. I haven’t done something like this in a few hundred years.]

“So you’re playing with your food,”

She hated to describe herself as their food, but that’s what the ahamkara had said she was. Boon chuckled.

[I never had parents to teach me.] They said, a bitter edge to their voice.

A pang of guilt flowed through Nox. Of course they didn’t. Boon hummed, and Nox could hear their smile.

[We share that, don’t we? We both never got to meet our sires.]

Nox clenched her jaw, trying to focus on putting one foot in front of the other. 

[Guardians have no memory of who they were before. It’s sad.] They murmured.

“It doesn’t matter,” Nox said tersely, and wondered if she was trying to convince herself.

[Your parents, friends, family, all forgotten with your revival.]

Boon’s presence shifted closer, sending a shiver down Nox’s spine.

[Does it bother you, Nox?] 

“Stop.” She ground out between her teeth.

“I know what you are doing. You will not trick me into another wish,”

Boon phased in next to her.

“You’re no fun,” they said, pouting.

“I’m not trying to be.”

——————

Problems began to arise once Nox was halfway through the strip of land that was Charon’s Crossing. 

She was hungry.

She still had plenty of rations left, but when she did eat, it didn’t satisfy her like it should. She was missing something. She asked Boon about it, but the ahamkara was predictably vague and unhelpful. It didn’t help that this hunger nagged at her, demanding her attention. 

Nox tried eating more, but it didn’t work. She was starting to feel shaky and weak when she stood or walked. She started taking more breaks and slept more, but it did little to help her. 

It finally culminated into something Nox could not ignore. She blinked and opened her eyes, roused from sleep. She had taken shelter in a small tunnel that branched off from the main path. Outside it was still dark. What struck Nox’s attention first was that her mouth was sore.

When she was at the Last City, she was able to take care of her hygiene. Out on Europa she had little time for it. Time she could be spending tracking down her target. Nox groaned as she sat up, lightly touching her jaw.

“Boon?”

The red-eyed Ghost phased in front of her.

“What,”

“My mouth is sore…”

“Oh no!” They said mockingly, “do you need me to wish it away for you?”

Nox gave them a long suffering stare. She was too tired to entertain their jabs.

“Can you project a mirror for me?” She asked.

They obliged her, using their mechanical eye to project a small reflective surface. Nox’s stomach curled in disgust as she gazed at her reflection. She never went as far to describe herself as pretty or beautiful, but the wear of her travels was beginning to show.

Her once fair purple skin was pale and sickly looking. Her hair was starting to grow out. It was shaggy and mussed. If she was back at home she would’ve got her haircut by now. Her orange eyes looked tired, but even before she got here she was tired all the time. Nox shook her head, pushing her thoughts to the back of her head. She had to ignore her appearance, for now.

Leaning in close to the mirror she opened her mouth, baring her teeth. She let out a startled sound as her eyes slid down to her mouth. Nox’s canines had grown and sharpened, giving her a pair of nasty fangs.

“What the fuck,” she whispered.

Nox narrowed her eyes at Boon.

“Did you do this!?” She hissed.

“That’s new,” they said, ignoring her question. Anger rose in Nox’s stomach.

“Why did you give me fangs? Are these permanent?”

Boon was quiet for a moment.

“Will you be mad if I said yes-“

“Of course I will be!” Nox shouted.

Boon rolled their eye.

“It’s just some fangs,”

Nox stood and paced, absentmindedly poking at her new teeth. 

How am I going to explain this to Kas, or Tal, or Alex? She thought.

She turned, facing Boon.

“This is your fault, ahamkara!” She hissed.

They huffed, “so quick to blame me. You made the wish, Nox,”

“You tricked me!” 

Boon laughed.

“Hardly! You jumped at the chance I gave you,”

Hot shame welled up in Nox’s chest.

“I didn’t-“ she began.

“It was so easy!” They said,

Nox’s breath hitched, and she stepped back from them.

“All Guardians are the same, you are no different from the ones I encountered lifetimes ago. Driven mad by the stupid, selfish wishes they made.”

Boon prowled closer to her, and shed Chiara’s shell like a cloak. The discarded shell clattered to the ground as their true form loomed over Nox. They smiled, revealing their teeth.

“You may think I tricked you, but your desire was true. You made your wish and now you must live with it.”

Nox shut her eyes, trying to breathe, her heart thumping in her chest. She shivered as Boon’s tail brushed against her cheek.

“I’ll prove you wrong,” Nox bit out.

“You won’t win,” she said, opening her eyes and fixing her gaze on Boon.

They tilted their head.

“I’ll enjoy watching you struggle.”

——————

Nox felt lighter upon exiting Charon’s Crossing. At last, Europa opened up into the large stretch of land that was Astrion Abyss. She was making progress towards her goal.

From the exit of the crossing, the land opened into a large clearing. It was loosely surrounded with ruins of buildings and sloops of ice and snow. If Nox continued north then the hills would flatten out to a field of ice.

[Now that we are out in the open, we’ll have to be careful. We might come across Guardians who aren’t very friendly.] Boon said.

“I highly doubt that,” Nox said, “any Guardian sent here is doing work, like helping House Salvation.”

[And what about that corrupted Guardian, Lucas, that you keep thinking about, or your own order?] They countered.

Nox shut her mouth as the ahamkara punched holes right through her flimsy argument. She decided to keep stopping through the snow instead of giving them the satisfaction of a retort. 

[You know…] Boon drawled, [I have seen each and every Guardian that's been here on Europa. Even the one you're after.]

Nox hated that Boon knew how to entice her.

“You saw Lucas? What was he like?” She asked.

[He’s a coward, plain and simple. I’m surprised you're bothering to go after him.]

Nox bristled.

“My mentor said he’s dangerous, and that the darkness- stasis corrupted him,”

[And now you have it. Does that mean you are as well?] They wondered.

“Of course not,” Nox said, trying to convince herself.

“I will never use it, I-“

[Shh!] Boon hissed quietly.

Nox fell silent, annoyed by their interruption.

What is it? She thought.

[I’m picking up a presence. It’s paracausal, another Guardian. They are coming towards us from Charon’s Crossing.] They whispered.

Nox stilled, listening.

She picked up on a distant hum of a sparrow. It was quickly gaining on them. Nox sprang into action. She didn’t want to take a gamble on whether or not this Guardian would be friendly. She ran, aiming for the hills where she could get some elevation. 

Heart beating painfully in her chest, she could barely hear the sparrow getting louder as it closed in. Scrambling up one of the slopes, Nox found a rocky outcrop, with a cave entrance at her back. She threw herself to the ground, lodging herself between the rocks.

Panting, Nox slowly lifted herself up to peek over her cover at the entrance of Charon’s Crossing. The sparrow’s hum filled her ears, and in a flash, a Guardian riding on the vehicle appeared. Nox unhooked her spear from her back, and quietly pulled the trigger. The weapon transformed, bringing the spearhead down and replacing it with the barrel of a gun.

Nox shifted to a crouched position, and delicately placed the edge of the barrel on one of the rocks. The gun itself wasn’t meant to be a sniper, but if the Guardian got close enough, she’d be ready.

Nox’s gaze followed the stranger as they sped out into the open tundra. By looking them up and down, she deduced that they must be a Hunter. The long polished sniper rifle at their back was a dead giveaway. They went past her hiding spot, and to her surprise, started to slow down. Still within her eyesight, she watched as they came to a stop. 

Uneasiness wrapped around Nox. Had they seen her?

Her anxious thoughts came to a stop as the Hunter’s Ghost phased in next to them. 

Her gaze narrowed, zeroing in on the tiny machine. Her heart thumped a desperate beat, drowning out the conversation between the Hunter and the Ghost. A shiver wracked Nox’s body. She couldn’t move. She couldn’t breathe. Her stomach growled.

She needed to get closer. Nox imagined her hands closing around its form. How satisfying it would be to crush it in her grip. She needed it.

The Ghost. Kill it. 

Kill it.

Nox blinked, she was flung back to herself as the Ghost phased out. The sparrow roared to life and the Hunter sped away, unaware of what had happened.

She gasped for air. An agonizing groan escaped Nox’s throat. Still shaking, she curled in on herself, pain radiating from her empty stomach. Her knuckles were white from gripping her spear too hard. Nox released her weapon, shutting her eyes as it clattered to the ground.

Slowly she lifted her hands to her eyes. Nox sucked in a fearful breath as she gazed at her open palms. A thin layer of ice coated the pads of her fingers and palms. A trill of horror raked down her spine. She needed to finish her mission before her wish destroyed her.