The Hunter kneels checking the ground for any signs of traps in the Cosmodrome. He’s aware he’s been being followed for the past hour. They were members of the Praxic Order under Aunor’s jurisdiction. For spies they were pretty good at keeping up in tracking their target but their skills at staying hidden are subpar when compared to a Hunter’s. He smirked as best as an Exo can with his face hidden under his cloak’s hood.

He knew this is where they wanted to lead him. His ghost constantly annoying him with not walking into the trap but he ignored her. He felt like humoring them because he needed something to take the edge off. His reputation was going down the drain quickly with his trip to Europa with what he saw and what he gained in terms of power. The ice crackled in his hand briefly before dissipating.

He stood up and one of the Praxic yelled, “Surround him!” He chuckled and saw the three warlocks move in to capture him. Two stood behind him and the leader of the Fireteam stood in front of him. He sized each one up. The two behind him were definitely seasoned fighters. One held a shotgun and the other aimed an auto rifle to the Hunter’s back but the Warlock that stood face to face with the Hunter had a different air about him and the Hunter speaks calmly, “What do I owe the pleasure of seeing you…Asterius?”

The Warlock in front of him wore a very chilling helmet that was distinctly the skull of a ram. His robes were torn and frayed with the scent of the Void on the singed areas. The Warlock held in his hand a hand cannon aiming directly at the Hunter’s head and replies coldly, “Viper-7. You’re under arrest for disturbing the peace of The Last City, associating with known fugitive Revenant-19, Allying with The Drifter, and potential alignment with the one designated as The Exo Stranger.” The Exo Hunter shook his head and sighed, “That hardly seems to warrant the need to point a gun at my face outside of the Crucible old friend.” The Warlock fires a warning just barely missing the edge of the Hunter’s precious cloak as Viper tried to move forward, “Don’t sweet talk me. You’re also under arrest by order of Aunor for known use of The Darkness. Keep a close on eye on him you two. He’s a Hunter after all. He’s not afraid to try something underhanded.” Viper chuckles, “You’re just sour that I’m finally ahead in our little bouts in Crucible with that throwing knife I hit you with from behind.” Asterius’ free hand glows eerily with the scent of the Void. Viper was pushing his buttons pretty easily.

“Look I get why you’re hunting the Hunter. It’s kind of thrilling to be honest. But Asterius you have no proof outside of your leader’s word that I was seen on Europa.” Asterius smiled back, “Video evidence says otherwise. You, that damn Warlock Revenant, and your little Titan friend attacked our leader without hesitation.” Viper chuckled and waved his hand dismissively, “You sound like such a lapdog.” He mocked the Warlock further not caring he has multiple guns pointed at him that could shut him up at any second, “Can’t think for yourself without Mommy Aunor to go clean up her mess she failed to deal with. The Praxic Order has completely fallen apart since she took charge. Taeko and Eriana would be so disappointed.”

A Hunter uses every weapon he’s got to gain control and momentum including the words he speaks, “Shut up you stupid little idiot. If Taeko could see you now. What the hell would she think? Wielding Darkness like it’s nothing. You clearly don’t care that you’re the enemy now. I’d expect nothing less from an Exo with what news came to light about you freaks.”

Viper’s smile quickly disappeared and was replaced with anger. He keeps his arms barely visible for the two aiming for his back to notice his hands trying to reach for a grenade. Asterius holds his gun and yells, “Hands where I can see them Viper.” Viper looks annoyed but in his mind he smiles because his ghost Aria already knew what her Guardian was thinking. He raises his arms up, “Open your damn hands Viper. I want to see if you have anything hidden beneath your sleeves.” Asterius approached closer and Viper and Aria were ready for their counterattack.

Hidden underneath his cloak was Aria who had a Stasis Grenade being held by her shell in midair. Viper knew ahead of time he’d be surrounded. It was standard protocol for attacking a target but it was predictable and easy to get out of. If you knew how to cause enough of a disturbance the formation breaks easily and the target can either easily escape or kill the entire fireteam in the ensuing chaos. Viper was not happy with Asterius little racist remark about his Exo heritage so this was about to get personal. The winds were starting to pick up and all the pieces were in place.

As the wind picked up his cloak began to billow in the winds. Just before it revealed Aria to the two Guardians standing behind Viper and surprising them she had flipped herself upside down and dropped the grenade. She quickly shouted, “V! Now!” The Hunter quickly back kicked the grenade from behind into the two Guardians direction. The guardians in their shock and hubris took aim and shot the grenade in midair causing it explode and release a large wall of ice that encased both Guardians trapping them within the ice. Asterius for a split second was shocked to see what had happen and that moment was all V needed to counterattack.

He quickly grabbed Asterius arm by the wrist that had the Hand Cannon pointed in Viper’s face and uses the momentum to push and point the gun away from Viper. With the Hunter’s free hand he quickly slips out a trusty throwing knife from underneath his sleeve and jabs it into Asterius’ throat without a moment’s hesitation.

He lays his Crucible rival down gently on the ground and looks in the eyes watching as he slowly bleeds out the throat as the light fades away from his eyes and his ghost has to resurrect him, “Tell Aunor she can try as much as she likes to stop me. I don’t care who gets in my way now. I will use every power and resource I have to hunt down Savathûn and become the next Hunter Vanguard. Whether Aunor likes it or not.”

As the light bathes Asterius and he wakes up to see his fireteam alive but unconsciousness from the Stasis grenade that held them. He looks to see Viper has vanished from his sights. He looks to his ghost who tells him he’s already went back to Europa.