Chapter Text

My seraph

Rasputin x oc

Since his mission on Europa, he met Anastasia Bray and Elizabeth Bray, descendants of the founder of Crowvis Bray and one of the initiators of Project Rasputin, also known as WARMIND, an AI for protecting the world. Even after generations, the SIVA outbreak, which they experienced and learned from—a terrifying invention that devours everything to create what it desires—has served as a lesson for many Guardians. His friend, 'Bri'a-4,' a warlock who already enjoys learning, is stuck in history class all day with old stories.

Unlike him, who valued his independence more, he'd rather abandon anything as complicated as mathematics or occult sciences. But damn it, he'd been through that dark age too. His ghost, 'Ghosty,' once told him how despicable he was back then. If he were a warlord, he'd probably be eliminated by Felwinter and his allies by now. Luckily, back then he chose to compromise and help others, but didn't join Iron Lord. He wandered from place to place in the snow, and even got shot in the head by Dregen Yor, leaving a scar to this day. He didn't fight, he just fled suddenly. Ghosty also said that it was a good thing that he couldn't remember his past self.

That…was a good thing?

Moreover, everyone he'd ever met—the Vanguard leader, Lord Shaxx, Ana, Saint-14, and Lord Saladin, even AI Rasputin—knew who he was. He was even ridiculed by the Drifters for being an old man with amnesia. It wasn't funny at all! That I couldn't remember anything! It was like being resurrected twice without knowing anything! Was that really a good thing?
But he chose to let it go in the past rather than wallow in misery wondering, 'Who am I?'

VIX-16 has been assisting Rasputin on missions for over a week, maybe even a month now. Sometimes they argue, with Rasputin trying to calmly reason with the AI's rigid beliefs. Rasputin seems to have bad memories of the 'previous' VIX-16. He occasionally chats with Ana when he's bored, sharing some common interests. The more time they spend together, the more he feels Rasputin's voice soothes his troubled mind when he needs someone to confide in. In Ana's eyes, Crowvis Bray is a terrible father. She and he helped Rasputin eliminate the AI ​​Crowvis Bray on a mission.

That guy is a dictator consumed by power.

"Damn it, I think we'll have to dress up Rasputin a bit more," VIX chuckled, teasing AI as he sprawled out after a small battle with the alien invaders at WARMIND's research base.

Anastasia chuckled too, "I agree."

"Why don't we go buy him some things?" The young woman's eyes lit up as she looked at him. To be honest, she looked like a child in an adult's body, but her intelligence surpassed his capabilities. She chose to break one of the Guardian's most important rules: 'Don't look back to find out who you are.' But nothing could stop Bray's ambition, and he saw her as a close friend, nothing more.

VIX-16 rose from the ground. "What does he want? I don't think there's anything compatible. Well... he's an incomplete Exos, and he's also in the data."

"Even so, we should give him something. He's done a lot for us." Ana stood up, brushing the dust off her clothes. She thought VIX-16 would be a pretty good person to talk to Rasputin. Even though she heard them arguing sometimes, Rasputin didn't seem to refuse to converse with him at all, as if he were a favorite guardian.

Perhaps... Rasputin might have a friend...
Someone that Red would open up to...
An AI weapon with a friend? …

She gazed at the slightly taller EXOMIND figure in front of her. Its black frame had a shimmering purple grid pattern that glowed in the light. The right side was painted yellow, and star-like markings adorned the 'eyebrows' above the metal eyelids. Red optical lenses in the darkness turned back to her with a questioning look.

Why was she staring at him?

[What did that AI soldier, WARMIND, want? An ornament? A gift? Sounds... useless.] Ghosty floated out beside him, its spherical shell and antenna twitching. Ana put her hands on her hips, frowning.
"That was quite a sting, Ghosty. But oh well, at least it's some real return," Ana shrugged, conversing with her ghost, 'Jinju,' in her head.

"Then let's go buy some! I want to eat super stretchy cheese!" VIX dragged out the words and walked out of the hall. Ana smiled good-naturedly. He was a cheerful person, so it was no surprise that Cayde-6 was close to VIX-16.
"Hey, Red, what do you think?" Anastasia asked.

[That's not necessary for me at all.] The AI ​​soldier said in a terrifyingly booming synthesized voice that echoed throughout the bunker.
"Oh, come on! VIX and I will go find something good for you." She giggled.
Rasputin said nothing in response, simply ordered the gate opened for them to leave, and waited for their return.

-Last City-

The two walked through the shopping district. There were many interesting things, but upon closer consideration, they were truly of no use to WARMIND. Rasputin didn't even need these frivolous items; he would only be satisfied with raw materials for weapon making.

"I thought maybe I should buy him a cloak, like you gave him...but that would be too much of a duplicate."
VIX-16 thoughtfully touched the red linen fabric. The female Guardian approached, examining the fabric the same color as the AI's eyes.
"If I bought him a knitted hat, it would be too ridiculous. It wouldn't suit him at all." That made Ana burst into laughter.

"Oh, you think it's inappropriate? Or is it because of how you see Rasputin?"
"I don't know. He has a body—'almost a body'—an Exos like me. I'm an Exos too. Maybe he'd look cool if he wore something nice."
Ana was surprised by how VIX viewed WARMIND, then whistled, glancing at the fabric, hands on her hips with a wide, mischievous smile. It seemed like Red had someone interested in dating him.
"Then you must think he's handsome like you, huh?"

That sentence made VIX-16 stop abruptly. He grabbed another piece of cloth to distract his friend from her scrutinizing behavior. His red lenses fidgeted nervously, and the red light from his mouth blinked silently.
"Uh—well...I guess so. Guys have to be cool, you know ! "
"Haha!...Yeah, manly cool. So which one do you think would look good on Rasputin?"
Vix rolled his eyes at the laughter and started choosing again.

[I like cherry color], Ghosty suggested.
"I'm not buying it for you," VIX said.
Ana laughed until her shoulders shook at this dynamic duo.

-Mars-

“Hey, Rasputin,” VIX-16 entered the hall filled with countless wires, steel walls, and a desolate darkness. Half of his body, armless and lower, was sliding down a mechanism holding him in place. Dangerous red eyes stared at him without blinking.
“I have something for you. And Ana’s busy with business with the Vanguard again. Yeah… same old Zavala work.” VIX-16 said, taking a step closer, steeling himself to speak with a hint of shyness, disappointed in his own tone.
“I have nothing to give you, because nothing is necessary, as you said. But… I think this might suit you. Red, like your eyes.”
He wrapped the linen around his neck over Ana’s cloak, adjusting it so it wouldn’t obstruct the platform, unaware that the other’s optical eyes were watching his every move. Rasputin gazed at the familiar face.

Once…

The male exos figure is a man who once murdered his son, Felwinter, for fun. He's a man who fought countless small battles with Frame and the WARSAT satellites. He once held and kissed his son.

He once entered Rasputin's territory and spoke ill of him, describing how terrible a father he was and mockingly mocking how much an AI like WARMIND despised him.
Until the SIVA incident… Rasputin killed Iron Lord, his own son, through his own actions. Only Lord Saladin survived to this day. On that day he lost his son, he grieved, shedding tears that didn't exist, tears of deceit filled the air. He grieved for deceiving and destroying Felwinter.
He grieved… to know that his son had given his small heart to this man through the data gathered from Felwinter's body. Every feeling, every experience, it was all so wondrous.

And this man is giving it to him,
just as he once gave it to Felwinter.

“Is something wrong? You’ve been staring at me for a while,” VIX-16 asked nervously, rubbing his fingers against the linen collar. Rasputin paused for a moment before replying.
[I understand Felwinter’s past, what makes my work so captivating to you.] VIX-16 stopped abruptly, slowly gazing at the pale face. His eyes flickered slightly, a tremor clearly visible to the AI.
“Why bring that up ? I don’t remember anything between us, but I know I was once close to your son. I don’t know why, but no one wants to talk about our relationship.”
“It… hurts a little that I don’t know anything about my past. I just know you might be able to tell me something.”

They were silent for a moment before Rasputin initiated the conversation again.

[Lightbearer, Guardian, one who received power from light, once turned to killing each other in the dark ages. My son rose up to fight alongside the Iron Lords, uniting and protecting the conquered lands from injustice. Then I encountered you, coming to entertain yourself, no different from other warlords who seized power. Until you lost your memory again, I tried to open the way for you.]
"Am I really bastard…?"
[I tried to understand your thoughts. Why are you so infatuated with Felwinter ? Why did you choose to give it to me ? ]
"I don't know. My preferences are strange, I guess. I'm not trying to explain for your forgiveness or anything, but I'm just… trying to understand myself...."

VIX-16 spoke softly, lowering his gaze to avoid Rasputin.
"I don't know what to do knowing that I once loved him. I don't know how terrible I am, and… I don't even know if I'll ever see you as Felwinter again…"
"I'm sorry for saying something so selfish. I just… I just want to be in the present, to help you, to make Ana happy knowing you're alright. Am I caring about you too much?"
He chuckled at himself, cupping the metal cheek before releasing it, realizing he had accidentally touched the exos body.
"I'm sorry. I don't want to make you uncomfortable with my presence around. If you want me to leave, I will. Knowing the past and still having to face you is a little awkward. Maybe forgetting my identity isn't so bad… It doesn't hurt."

VIX-16 sighed and faced Rasputin, cupping his face again with his hands, gently stroking the metal jaw.
"What I, the old me and now, think is the same: you're interesting, just like Felwinter. You guys are truly stubborn metal creatures." He leaned forward, touching the metal lips, closing his eyes and kissing softly. Rasputin said nothing, simply watching silently.

What his son received, he received as well.

He pulled away. "Sorry, I acted on my impulses again."
He slowly released his hands, letting them float away.

[No, I have no uncertainties.] Rasputin replied. [DON'T LET ME GO.]
He paused for a moment, then released his hand from the puppet's face, unsure if that was what the AI ​​wanted.
"You don't mind at all?"
[No, I do not dislike what you have given me. Now, what you're doing is unexpected.]
"Do you want me to do it again?" He blushed slightly.

[Again, touch me.]

He followed the AI's request, stepping closer, kissing him lingeringly but deeply. His hand traced the metal frame of the face, down the neck, kissing again. His fingers traced the red fabric before slipping inside to touch the cold, incomplete artificial body, the chest that was still intact. He tilted his head to touch the other's forehead. The AI ​​didn't need to move much, but Rasputin parted his lips to receive the kiss. VIX groaned at the response, wrapping his arms around the exos's neck in a hug.
Few people had ever hugged Rasputin; besides Ana, perhaps only VIX-16 could get this close.

"You know what, Rasputin ? If you had a body, I'd want to dance a song with you."
[There are still some frames around here], Rasputin said, gazing at the chipped, metallic face of the head. The same colored eyes looked up at him. One word that fit the millions of data records:

Exquisite.

Was it Felwinter's remaining feelings for Rasputin in the data, or was it himself thinking that?
VIX-16 laughed. "You tsundere AI, you say one thing and do another, huh? But alright."
He planted one last kiss on the gleaming white cheek.
"As you wish. Another mission, isn't it ? "

-Anastasia Bray-

"What are you guys doing ? " she asked, bewildered.
Just returning from a tedious Vanguard meeting, she arrived at the research base to the sound of violin music playing in the hallway. Walking deeper into the hall, she found VIX-16 dancing and embracing Rasputin's Frame, VIX laughter and rhythmic footwork filled the air. What was he doing dancing with Frame ? And Rasputin was playing pre-collapse music ?
She thought she was the only one who'd get to hear it!
"Oh ! Ana ! Look ! I'm dancing with him ! " VIX-16 spun around, his orange cape fluttering with each swing. His waist was held by Frame, his hands gripping hands Frame, and his feet stomping to the rhythm.
[Welcome back, Ana] Rasputin announced.

"Alright, tell me, what did you do with Red ? It's very suspicious," she narrowed her eyes.
"Just a little chat, nothing more ! "
"Just a little ? Good heavens, I've spent my whole life creating Rasputin and you got him in a few days ! Felwinter's going to be complaining to me if he were still around. Tsk tsk, you're wicked." Ana clicked her tongue, a knowing smile playing on her lips. VIX-16, distracted, almost stumbled and fell, but Frame caught him, supporting his back and holding his hand. She could see just how close the two were.
It seems Rasputin has a favorite guardian now.

"N-No way ! He's not mine ! Why are you talking as if I'm going to possess him ?! "
"You 400-year-old amnesiac! What are you so shy about ?!" Ana yelled, grabbing his collar instead of his ear if he were in human form.
"So—did you two kiss kiss ? " she whispered. The young man stammered.
"W-What ?! Why are you asking !? "
"Rasputin, did he really do it ? " She turned to ask Frame, who stood still beside his male friend, his hand still on exos waist.
[No comment]
So it's true, huh ? That tsundere AI.
"Haha ! Finally ! I won the bet against Cayde !" she exclaimed triumphantly. Vix-16 pulled up his hood to cover his embarrassing face. Ghosty taunted him in his head with an annoying voice.
"Damn it ! Stop teasing me ! "

Ah… good memories.

VIX-16 clutched the red linen cloth he had given Rasputin. It remained with the incomplete Exos body, as always. But now the light in the room had gone out, leaving only emptiness and darkness.
"I never forgot you, nor did I stop loving you, you tsundere AI," he said, lifting the now-silent metallic face to admire it.
Rasputin… he had fulfilled his duty as a WARMIND.
Protecting all of humanity.

After that day it began… the sky flashed with a blinding light. The Traveler soared above the world into the atmosphere. The Eliksni tribe, specifically Eramis from the House of Devil, was going to use the WARSAT satellite to shoot down the giant spherical god, but Rasputin had Ana disable himself to prevent Eramis from using him.
Death.
For AI, was it just emptiness ?
He hugged the lifeless body of the exos, longing for the past.
"Please, if the Traveler sees any good in you, please grant him life…"

As the Speaker said when the Red War began, resurrection is not for just anyone. Not every Guardian will reach this point.
'Devotion inspires bravery. Bravery inspires sacrifice. Sacrifice leads to death.'
Devotion, bravery, sacrifice. Now Rasputin is dead.
Shouldn't Rasputin be the Guardian now ? If the Traveler values ​​this, isn't it Rasputin who makes us the new Guardians ?

"I love you, Red."