Doodle

Penguin souvenir of the Eventide

Abyssal Echos {Cayde-6}

Part two of the thingy I did! This also took me too long but I liked it and was able to do a huge chunk of writing today so I edited that hoe and here we are.  —

Crackling lighting with rolling thunder and clouds that put even the darkest of nights to shame, gave way to curling morning mists and light golden peachy sunlight that made the Tower shine. The Traveler gleaming brightly as an ever-vigilant beacon of hope glowing with the beginnings of dawn that bled away into the rise of the morning, as the city awakens underneath the ever-watchful eyes of the Tower. Yet not all of its inhabitants were dozing off or attempting to shake off sleep. Blood pumping and light singing, each nerve on fire as sudden old reflexes kicked in. “You’re awfully on edge today.” Tempest does a quick circle around you, golden shell glinting as you give her a side glance. Worried, loveable, and ever concerned with your wellbeing you found Tempest doting on you more as you busied yourself with matters in the Cosmodrome. The rust yards terribly familiar and each day you can’t help but wander further into unexplored unknown territory only to find that it felt like home. 

“I can’t help but feel that something terrible is going to happen,” Strange whispers have been coming to you both in dreams and during the hours which you were awake. They brought unsettling messages of a future that has yet to pass and tales of an impending war that would bring everything that you hold dear down into rubble. Red banners to corrupted space magic, and even a garden of darkness. It has warned you now it’s simply up to you to decide what to do with the knowledge. “Not now but soon, something is coming and I’m not sure if we can stop it.” Tempest hovered in front of your face, her little golden body being overshadowed by the white silhouette of the Traveler. Nothing is said, she is apart of you as much as the void is. She knows a partial truth and that is enough to sate her curiosity for the time being as you depart for the Cosmodrome.

A soft frosty wind swirled the bronze leaves around as some crunched underfoot. Gentle sunlight danced through the trees as the sky just barely peeked through the canopy of trees that have yet to shed their leaves. The Atrium was a quiet place within the Cosmodrome where the whispers are quieted having no current recollection of the place but they are ever there as reminders. These hidden paradises were ones that only hunters have tread, their markings left for those who know the meaning behind the symbol. Ikora sent you here inquiring about the potential elimination of a high value fallen target, Archon Ossik.  The matter was important to Cayde, he had people on the line and Ikora was certain that you were up to the job having been thoroughly impressed with your abilities thus far. 

Tempest who is hiding in what she calls your backpack chirps up as you reach your destination. “We killed one we can do it again!” The void is cold and bitter causing that pins and needles feeling to run up your arms as faint voices corrupt your focus. 

Little lights are always so arrogant.

That’s why they get extinguished.

The coldness leaves as quickly as it came, returning the feeling back to your limbs. You know the Tempest felt the void but you wonder if she heard its message. It is dark, cruel, and brutally honest. It never fails to speak its mind whether it be to share a message or wisdom the void always has something to say. The abyss calls and you are always there to answer. Trudging onwards, the canopy thickened blocking out the sun to create an artificial night where the only stars were the tiny gaps in the layers upon layers of leaves. Utterly silent, there was only the faint howl of the wind and the sound of a river running. Every direction there were trees and no sign of any Fallen. Peculiar, unorthodox even, the fallen were never ones to up and vanish.

To the left!

 Behind you!

A sharp blinding arc of light cuts through the well made but worn metal of your helmet slicing through the left side cleanly. “Ambush get to cover!” Tempest managed to elevate her voice over the sounds of the gunfire that crackled from every direction, Dregs coming out of the woodwork behind you with the shanks not far behind. The area was dark but open in the center with clusters of rocks for cover and the foliage to hide in. Slinking away into the shadows the void wraps itself around you protectively, their whispers proving to be helpful this time around. Able to set up in a small choke point you picked them off one by one, the popping sounds echoing as the flashes of light illuminated the underbellies of the trees. It was only until the oaks shook and the giant form of an Archon appear did you consider retreat. Clad in graphite and onyx armor the symbols that adorned the plating were of no familiar Fallen house to you nor the tower. With this quick glance, you spotted the faint gleaming of a sash made entire out of dead ghosts, the shells deconstructed to create a geometric plating and the eyes pulled out placed at the center of each break in the pattern. 

It’s wearing the corpses of its prey.

Your skull could be next.

A crackle and a swing, the steel catching some light a vandal appears cloaking device deactivating as the blade cut through the air. Yet as pins and needles crawl up your spine, there is a flash of bright violet then a deep hollow aching freeze that faded into nothingness. Shivering, darkly violet, and cold the void consumed everything around you feeding off of your light that extinguished like a candle. There is no forest, no Archon or any of his Fallen brethren, simply a path that you must walk in order to be reforged in the darkness of the void. 

Take back your life.

Remember what you have lost and be reborn in the light.  

The chatter of the Cosmodrome Station 2A is almost deafening as Ace, your son, clings to your hand despite being ten years old now. Cayde was his father and Ace mimicked him in so many aspects that you just couldn’t help but see parts of your husband in him. The fluffy curly dark brown hair that zigzagged in every direction possible to the bright blue eyes that always had a mischievous little glint in them. With nothing but the clothes on your back and determination for a new life that would support you and Ace, you await amongst the thousands of people that are simply dreaming of getting on one of those colony ships. Though the station is mostly separate from the others, dwelling within a massive forest, it runs flawlessly as shuttle after shuttle departs for the new worlds awaiting for people to make their mark on them. Abnormally quiet Ace grips your hand tightly scanning the area for threats like you taught him to. He’s learned a lot about the world, Ace knows how unfair and cruel it can be as well as how anyone can stab a knife in your back. He can shoot and has picked up survival skills easily. You’re preparing him for whatever comes next in the beyond, if you ever do make it that far. There have been attacks recently on the stations, an alien race praying on the weak forcing them to whole up in the stations for weeks or months at a time until all food is gone and the people are mere skeletons of their former selves. Your particular station was nicknamed the Atrium with its beautiful glass ceilings that had the canopy overhead causing gentle sunlight to stream through. 

“How much longer?” Ace questions quietly weary of the others around him, you wonder if you perhaps made him a little too paranoid. As you’re about to answer a shadow darkens the area causing the chatter to hush into urgent whispers. People looking around confused at one another as a massive ship covers the large glass ceiling. Then fire and glass rained down from above.

The Queen of Hearts {Cayde-6}

So uh this is a long thing but give her a read.  @travelllar 👀

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Memories of the past come to Cayde in short colorful bursts, flashes of a past life that he has yet to understand. There however has always been a comforting little flicker that comes and goes whenever it pleases, occasionally appearing when its warmth is very much so needed. 

The moon shining through the hanger the stars were little beacons forming a pattern along the inky sky. Sundance was tucked away in her quiet space to square away some data while others who would normally be whizzing around the spacious area had already checked in for the night. Most lights down to just a hazy dim and Amanda’s chaotically neat workspace was void of her usual casual but bubbly friendliness. Cayde hasn’t wandered from his space in the Hall of Guardians for quite some time. He hardly misses the grandiose archways carved out of that uniform marble and hardly misses the table that symbolizes the death of his career. Cayde is however glad to be free of Ikora for the moment. She’s the one who watches him like a hawk when Zavala’s mind is preoccupied with other Vanguard plans or operations, menacingly staring at him from across the war table every so often. The whole ordeal makes stretching his wings a scarce opportunity but he’s going to enjoy the brief moment that he has, no matter how short it may be. Yet as he walks eyes flitting from the banners that rest on the walls adorned with guardian regalia to the colorful ships that bounce light off their shining wingspan he can’t help but let his mind drift, getting swept away in the currents of the past.

Fields of grass roll and sway with each warm summer breeze. The emerald blades engaging in a gentle dance with one another. As the fluffy clouds occasionally block the golden sun from view creating a momentary artificial night. Fingers woven tightly with another’s as the ink of a tattoo peeks out from under a cobalt sleeve, a cursive script Q with a perfect heart underneath. Careful gentle touch with a sweet voice that calls out for a boy named Ace. Scruffy hair that’s going in multiple directions the child is no older than six or seven and is chasing a butterfly around with a youthful glee. She looks at him with a small smile on her face, pressing a quick kiss on his cheek she stands brushing off the dirt and loose grass as she descends down the glade to go grab her son. Their son. Voice melodic and small giggles follow her words as she attempts to catch up to her speed demon child, cobalt blouse fluttering in the wind as the blades of grass brush against the well worn black pants that have its fair share of rips and tears in them. There was never enough money to replace their things, only enough to keep them on the run far away from the troubles that had rose when he stirred up the hornet’s nest. He’d have to leave them soon, she didn’t need to shoulder his problems and Ace needed a home. No matter how much it breaks his heart he can never look back.

Bits and pieces of information have always stuck to this particular memory like glue.  A beautiful woman with this calm fire that often came out when she would sass him with those clever comments of hers, was his wife in his past life. His son Ace is a constant reminder that the life of a guardian comes with suffering, the thought of losing a child even if it was one from a past life creates this vast feeling of failure, a deep emptiness that just sucks all the life and joy out of everything. The feeling alone is enough to make him want to forget some of the memories but he can never forget her. She was his bombshell woman that went through hell every day just to be with him. Even knowing that she’s passed hasn’t lessened the spark of love that was rekindled when the memories started resurfacing. The faint feeling of butterflies or the occasional heart racing joy to a deep warm comforting fire of pure love. Yet as the years pass Cayde finds himself pondering less over his one and only finding only time for a more grim future. 

A rough winter storm full of crackling lightning and thunder that shook the tower to the very core. Cobalt robes that were fashioned improperly but still retained their functionality were drenched and clung to you as if it were a second skin. Hair dripping wet small droplets only adding to the puddles you were no doubt creating as you roamed the halls without purpose. Slightly charred boots scuffing along the floors as the harsh cold storm wind blew through your tattered armor and through the tears in your ink-black pants. Despite her effort, Tempest was unable to create a helmet for you which she still was apologizing for each time you swatted a strand of wet hair out of the way. Caring and ever-energetic, Tempest was your impatient ghost who always couldn’t wait for the next adventure. Her gold shell dancing about a bit before settling for one moment until the next thing caught her eye and so forth. You’ve been only alive for mere moments, being thrown into a world that was vastly unfamiliar with only your little ball of sunshine to lead the way. Her words were comforting though as your new colleagues, these other guardians, stared at you intrigued clearly not inclined to help or explain what was going on. You were glad that Tempest gave you that common courtesy. 

“We need to see Ikora! She’s a little scary and she’s no Cayde but she’s a lovely woman.” Tempest half explained the Vanguard to add to your knowledge of the Tower trying to make it less of a sketch and more of a whole image. Ikora would be your supervisor, a respectable woman who thinks more with her mind rather than her heart and you could already tell that she would have a lot to teach you about this second chance you’ve been given. Zavala is a bit more on the grim side though he has unwavering loyalty to his people yet you aren’t sure if that’s a flaw or an admirable trait. From what Tempest has told you his dedication to protecting his people often clouds his judgment. Cayde seems to be the life of the party in all honesty. A wildcard with nothing to lose Cayde always manages to find adventure and makes things go smoother. 

You feel a faint connection to the name but you can’t quite explain it. Your old memories were elusive, just barely slipping through your fingers. The whole situation was a bewildering mess that didn’t make sense and became one giant headache. Though you had to sort everything out eventually so you’d might as well start now.  “Lead the way please.” Delighted by your answer Tempest obliged highly enthusiastic to become today’s tour guide. Now dripping water onto expensive-looking marble elder guardians simply gawked, it not every day that a newly risen enters the hall of guardians looking like a wet puppy. A large archway with golden embellishments that gleamed in the light loomed overhead as the chattering from Exos stood out against the white noise of the hall. It’s a peculiar sound but not grating or horrid, merely a new one that’s interesting to listen to. To your left was a spot that Tempest called Shaxx’s domain with the bright orange rug and the skulls mounted on the walls behind the sofa. The moment the guardian turned his head you briskly walked forewards ignoring the booming greeting that rivaled the noise of the thunder. Yet all eyes were on you as you shuffled awkwardly up to the table. 

“Guardian are you alright?” Pathetic, wet, and unamused were all words that Ikora was probably thinking of when she glanced at you, eyebrow arched and an amused tiny smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. Tempest answered before you could even open your mouth. She began conversing in her speedy manner hardly pausing to let Ikora catch up as she swayed to and fro illustrating the tale of your awakening with as many detailed words as she could fit into one sentence. Bubbling enthusiasm capturing the vanguard’s attention you take the moment to casually scan the room, eyes wandering to the large glass window to the military personnel that worked closely with their guardian allies. For a few seconds, you glanced at Commander Resting Bitch Face as Tempest so innocently called him. Zavala is about the last person you’d ever cross and he needs to work on that grimace, it’s giving him some unflattering wrinkles. But then the fear combined with the feeling of being watched tore your gaze away from the grand but all too serious Commander. Cayde-6 was quite unabashedly at you, making direct eye contact with those sapphire eyes. Wordlessly he beckoned you with a small hand motion and not knowing what else to do you simply obeyed. He was colorful in his own right, even with his obsidian armor he manages to add that distinct crimson that made him simply stand out. He was quite the sight and not in a bad way, you were curious. 

“If it’s about the water I’ve tracked in I’m terribly sorry.” Your voice seemed to just make him pour all his focus into what you were saying, hanging onto each and every word. It was like you cast a spell on him. Cayde’s eyes ran over your features never stopping on one thing for too long before he found something new to look at. You couldn’t possibly imagine what he was thinking about and the deep scrutiny made you feel unwelcome. Reaching out wordlessly he grasped your wrist gently turning it upwards so that the palm of your hand faced the sky. You furrowed your brow at the action but did nothing to stop it. Pulling your sleeve down a few inches there was a faint cursive q with a fading heart just beneath it.