A/N: Apologies for the late upload. Hectic day and no time to write. Will have to travel again tonight for more work.
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[ Tower, Last City]
Engines roared low and a ship descended into the Hangar, its thrusters sputtered as it landed hard.
The hatch flung open.
Void stepped out, arms locked in magnetic restraints, his blade confiscated. His cloak dragged along like a receding shadow.
He didn't struggle.
Surrounding him in tight formation were four fully armed Praxic Fire guardians, the grim reality of the situation cast a dark pall on their faces. The escort marched across the hangar, towards the Praxic Fire's isolation cells.
But as they walked through the Courtyard, the Tower paused. All those that had gathered to mourn were perplexed. Their eyes shifted between the Praxic Fire and Void. The crowds shifted as the Guardians got to their feet, murmurs spread amongst them.
Their small circles combined into a wave that approached the escorting officers. The moment they saw Void in restraints, their eyes burned with rage. To the survivors, Void had single-handedly flipped the tides of war.
He was among the ones who had risked their lives against Crota for the possibility of retreat. The ones who stood at the forefront. The ones who had fought tooth and nail came hell or dark tides.
There no was doubt in their hearts, he was a hero.
As the Praxic Fire realised the shifting sentiments, Aunor rushed the escort team towards the elevators. But she was too late.
The crowds surged forward.
Voices rose and names were called. Some in disbelief, some in range, and others in defiance.
"Let him go!"
"You dog bastards!"
"Do you know who that is?"
A young arc strider lunged from the side, darting through the crowds, he leapt across with his dagger aimed at the magnetic restraints. Two Praxic guards flickered, slamming him down mid-air.
As he hit the ground hard, the Hunter grunted. "You owe him your lives, you dogs!" he barked.
At his words, the Praxic guards flinched. Shame settled in their silence.
Then, the crowd's voice rose—angry, confused, rising like a wave.
Aunor stepped forward, her coat sweeping behind her as she raised a hand. Her voice cut through the noise like a blade through cloth.
"Stand down!" she thundered.
"By the old City accords, Void is under arrest. A Consensus trial will be conducted. Any Guardian who interferes will be charged as an accomplice."
The crowd faltered.
"This matter," she continued, eyes scanning the gathered Guardians, "is sealed under Vanguard authority."
With that, she turned, and the escort resumed its march toward the gate.
Void walked on, undisturbed. His steps were quiet, steady. Not a single glance back. As the sun crested the horizon, his shadow stretched ahead of him—long, dark, and unyielding.
At the gates, the elevator doors slid open with a low hiss. Aunor stepped inside. Two guards flanked Void. The others formed a protective wall.
Aunor turned to glance at the dispersing crowd. Then she looked at Void—his face was blank, his gaze unreadable. He entered the lift without a word.
As the doors sealed shut, the hangar began to clear. But the image lingered—burned into the minds of those who had watched it unfold. Today would not be forgotten.
---
[Praxic Fire, Isolation Cells]
Underneath the Courtyard, the escort walked down a dark corridor, dim lit by neon blue strips. Each wall intricately armed with sensors and turrets.
Void's footsteps echoed softly. He glanced around, only to find empty cells lining the halls. The escort stopped in front of a solid tungsten door.
The heavy door hissed open, revealing a small isolation cell lined with stone. He silently stepped inside, and raised his hands.
Aunor shot him a glance, reached out, and swiped a key over his restraints. The magnetic binds unlocked and fell to the floor.
"You made this harder than it needed to be." She said quietly, "You could've told us what happened."
Void finally flashed a smirk, glancing over his shoulder, "Would you have listened?"
Aunor frowned and pursed her lips, "Your weapons will be confiscated until the trial."
She turned to leave, "Do you have anything else to declare?"
But Void didn't answer.
The door slid shut, and two guards remained at its perimeter.
The last thing Void heard were the gears turning as the place was locked inside out.
---
[Vanguard Quarters]
Screens flickered, and the lights dimmed. The air in the Tower had changed. It was tense, almost at the verge of breaking.
Aunor stood before the Holo table, her Ghost replayed a video the Praxic Fire had received.
Zavala leaned over the table and his jaw tightened. Ikorra frowned and crossed her arms. Cayde leaned back, one boot on the table.
Then the hologram flared to life.
Toland's voice echoed.
"So what brings you here?"
Void's reply was sharp, "You triggered it didn't you?"
The old warlock frowned and his smile faded, "I have no idea what you're talking about."
The Vanguard watched as their conversation continued, the tensions rose. But then Void walked up, his fingers curled into a fist.
What happened next was a blur. All they saw was shadowy figure surging towards Toland with a blade, as the battle began the feed ended.
Aunor stepped forward.
"That's all we received from Toland."
Zavala's eyes didn't move from the hologram, "And after?"
Aunor's eyes narrowed, "Void refused to cooperate. He denies nothing, but offers nothing either."
"He's hiding something?" Ikorra retorted, "But why?" The warlock fell silent and contemplated.
"Was it revenge? For what Toland did during the scouting mission?" Ikorra frowned.
Zavala shook his head, "No. He's not that reckless. He wouldn't act for just that reason."
"Maybe he found more." Cayde muttered and sat up. "I've heard about his work. I know the missions he took, what he achieved. In fact, we all do."
"He's neither a blood crazed killed, nor a madman. He's a hunter. One that doesn't move without a purpose."
He paused.
Cayde heaved a sigh as he tapped the table, "Toland wasn't exactly a saint."
Ikorra's brows furrowed, "You're saying it was premeditated?"
"I am saying there's a story we don't know."
Zavala looked between the two with a stiff face, "Then we find the rest."
The titan pressed a button on his wrist, "Summon the Consensus."
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[Praxic Fire, Control Room]
The shadows trembled, they were afraid.
As the officers looked around, nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary. Yet they could feel something closing in. Something, dangerous.
The gates stirred, then an onyx shadow burst into the room.
"What is the meaning of this?" Tevis barked, "You arrest my guardian, march him through the Courtyard and throw him in lockdown?"
A gale rushed through the room as all stood on guard.
"Stand down Tevis, do you know where you are?" Aunor pointed her gun at him.
"I do." His voice turned low. Tevis turned towards Eriana, Sai and Wei. The three guardians were injured and still recovering from the war.
Tevis scoffed. "I know that he risked his life to save your people. Yet you repay him with a trial? What grand crime did he commit?"
Aunor clenched her jaw, " Whatever he did, its under the Vanguard's jurisdiction."
"Still keeping your secrets? I can find it out myself." Tevis turned to leave.
"He killed him." Aunor spat out, "Toland, that freak. He's gone."
The words struck Tevis, the hunter paused.
"You don't mean?"
"Forever, no coming back."
Tevis looked over his shoulder, "Proof?"
"Saw his shattered ghost and his dead body with my own eyes. Your guardian stabbed him through the heart. That enough for you?" The warlock lowered her weapon.
"He's not one to kill in cold blood." Tevis shook his head, "Where did you put him?"
----
[Isolation Cells]
Soft footsteps echoed as a figure walked across the hall. When he reached the last cell, two guards raised their hand.
The man tossed a green token in the air and flickered closer, "F*ck off."
The guards paused, inspecting the token with great caution. A minute later the two moved further down the hall.
Inside his Isolated cell, Void sensed the man's arrival.
"Didn't think you'd be the first to visit." He chuckled lightly.
Levi coughed and wheezed, as if a disease clung to his lungs, "You dog, this is what happens when you do stupid shi* without me."
"For someone on death's door, you're as arrogant as ever." Void sighed, "The song really did do a number on you."
"And you're as big of a dumbass as I remember." Levi leaned closer to the door, he could faintly make out Void's calm breaths.
"You're taking it better than I expected." He nodded.
"Of course. But how'd you get in here? Thought the place was on lockdown." Void shrugged lazily.
"Captain got a token from the Praxic for visits. Though he's a bit busy with the shi* storm you cooked up."
"Can't be helped, I knew it'd create some waves." Void replied, he wasn't remorseful for what he'd done.
Levi paused, "Thanks, for what you did for us."
"I didn't do it just for you." Void retorted.
"I know." Levi smiled, but then he pressed his lips together. "Your trials been decided."
"Gotta hand it to them, they made quite a swift decision"
Levi held back a cough as he bit his cheek, "Don't get your hopes up, trial is in a few days. They're waiting for the city to settle down. War hit us hard, you know it."
Then, Levi glanced towards the guards, making sure he wasn't being heard. He leaned closer to the door, and spoke in a faint whisper, "So what's the plan? You breaking out? Need a distraction?"
Void paused, the gears turned in his head, "No, not yet anyway. I need some time. Tell the captain to stretch the trial. I need to think this through."
Levi nodded, then he whistled to the guards and the two shuffled back into place. As the Nightstalker left, the hall once again fell silent.
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A/N: Hope you enjoyed. THROW SOME, REVIEWS!!! THROW STONES!!!