Part 1 Part 2

The spire of rock and iron that juts into the sky is now an abomination. Massive chunks of dark ice cover the mountain like shards of bone, and the clouds above the peak swirl in a wrathful maelstrom. Soulfire lightning rumbles and cracks through the sky, the thin green fingers lashing at the spires of Stasis on the peak. Silhouettes of phantoms float around the mountain like thousands of tears.

The mountain that once stood as a beacon of Light now stands as a warning, a single Dark talon stretching to rip open the sky.

Viper can’t help but reminisce of happier times with his former ‘brother’ here. Once upon a time the two laughed and smiled in the company of one mutual Hunter they both knew. Her name was Sai Mota.

“Oh boy here she goes Rev.” Viper says with a chuckle. The two Exo’s and the human Hunter known as Sai Mota gathered for drinks of ale within the halls of Felwinter’s Peak. The three had been drinking for a while recounting missions they had recently been on in service to The Vanguard and The Ironlords.

A few seconds ago Revenant-19 had just been told that the beautiful Sai Mota was infamous for her long-winded but charismatic speeches and had roused the young woman into giving one.

“My fellow mechanical gentleman and guardians. We have gathered here in this great...hall was it? Looks more like a hollowed out cave if you ask me…” Viper can’t help but chuckle at his fellow Hunter’s quips about Felwinter’s Peak as she continues, “My point being. Guardians like us three are one-of-a-kind. Charismatic.’ She points her mug to Viper who raises it in thanks, “Intelligent.” Pointing Revenant’s direction this time who returns the gesture kindly, “And Legendary.” She says haughtily with her free hand over her chest as her laughter engulfs the great hall, ‘I could not ask for an amazing pair of friends such as yourselves. Here’s to us!”

“Cheers!” The two Exo’s reply in unison as all three mugs make contact. Ale spills everywhere causing the three to erupt in laughter over the mess they’ve made and the attitude Saladin will probably give them later.

He sighs deeply looking in anger over the memories he wished he could forget and looks to Elizabeth who nods quietly as she leads him to the entrance.

Viper sets his jaw and follows Elsie.

The whispers of the phantoms intensify as they cross the bridge.

Why are you here? You failed us Viper. Why didn’t you just die like the rest of us?

The shadows loom over them, leaning forward to almost completely obscure Viper’s vision.

One voice in particular stands out amongst the sea of screams

How could you let me die V?

Viper freezes in place over the bridge. He looks down at his hands remembering the blood that stained them as he cradled her in his arms, “I’m sorry Amanda…” He muttered in a barely audible whisper.

Well 'sorry' ain’t good enough cowboy. You failed me just like you failed Cayde and Rev.

Maybe the phantom of her voice was right. Even though he knew the voices were just the Darkness's way of psychologically getting to him. It doesn’t mean it was any less true. He failed so many people that day. Buried so many friends who died that day and changed for the worst with each grave he dug. He became as cold and empty as the powers his enemy wields now and lost his spark of joy and happiness. His light within burned hot no longer a welcoming warm and inviting glow but a raging inferno that threatened to incinerate all to ash that stood in his path.

You’re going to die here alone V…

Those final words were no longer Amanda’s voice but Cayde’s. Viper shook his head calmly and continued forward. No matter what happened he knew he wasn’t coming out of this alive. For the Exo it was ultimately a matter of when he would die. The where and how didn’t matter much to the Hunter because he could feel the clock that was his life counting down the seconds. Every mission, every hunt was an invitation to his death. Him coming out alive just said that he didn’t find the one who would put him and Aria six feet under.

As the two enter the courtyard, which had been covered by a thin layer of Stasis. The air above them is still thick with the figures of phantoms, sending a shiver up Viper’s spine in anticipation of what awaits him inside. Thunder shakes the entire mountain as they approach the Iron Temple, Stasis crystals growing from its surface like monoliths.

“What happened here?” Viper asks Elsie.

“He took over Felwinter Peak soon after Eris and her armies assaulted the City.” Elsie explains as she pushes open the massive doors.

“What happened to Saladin?” Viper asks despite knowing the answer already from the sight alone.

Elsie doesn’t respond.

As the two enter they see the torches lining the wide corridor now ablaze with green Soulfire, casting an eerie, unwelcoming glow upon them. Their boots resound a deafening echo in the silent temple with each step they took as the shadows hang in the air above them.

Viper’s hands begin to shake slightly as he sees the familiar figure. The Warlock he once called brother sits on a misshapen throne, a small object floating above an open palm. His robes are tattered, and the air around him seems slightly distorted, not unlike the Pyramids.

The memories of his weakness fuel the fire within The Hunter’s body as he takes in the sight of the Warlock before him.

“Viper-7,” Revenant-19 states, turning his attention to the Hunter. He speaks with a sense of joy that makes the room grow colder, “An unexpected surprise.”

“Revenant.” Viper responds, his voice equally as cold and unwelcoming as the Stasis crystals that decorate the entire temple's interior. His hand rests on his hand cannon, his Light brimming in his heart ready at a moment's notice.

“Elisabeth.”

Elsie doesn’t respond to the Warlock, standing almost completely still. Viper instinctively stands in front of Elsie as if to shield her from The Warlock’s steely gaze. Revenant amused turns his attention back to Viper. His blood runs cold as his eyes bore into the Hunter, as if the Warlock could see his very soul.

Or his Light.

“I hope you didn’t come here just to kill me,” Revenant says, his hollow voice reverberating through the large chamber, “I’d be very disappointed.”

As Viper’s eyes adjust to the darkness of the chamber, horror dawns upon him.

The throne is made of bodies.

His hands begin to shake as he sees familiar objects: Ikora’s bond, a few pieces of Zavala’s armor, Shaxx’s helmet.

That synthetic feeling of tears of anger and hatred nearly fall from his eyes as he recognizes the object floating in Revenant’s palm.

“What have you done?” Viper iterates, teeth clenched.

Revenant closes his spindly fingers over Lotus’ dead shell. “She was… a distraction.”

Elsie shakes her head, disbelieving.

“You…” Viper struggles to find words, his anger overflowing as his body begins to run hot causing some of the ice around him to dissipate and melt from the Solar Light building within, “You…”

“I see now.” Revenant says menacingly. “You’ve come to ‘save’ me.” He stands, placing his hand on the helm of Saint-14 to steady himself. Which angers Viper further, remembering Saint’s death that day as it once again plays through his mind, “You’ve come to me with the hope of victory. With the dogma that ‘the Light will always find a way.’”

Viper’s hands shake as his Light continues to flare within. Revenant spreads his arms, gazing down at the two figures before him. “I have been saved. There is no hope. And there is no Light here.” His voice deepens and shakes the air around him, the enormity of his presence nearly overwhelming Viper and Elsie.

“Begone from this place.” Revenant growls, a staff of Darkness crackling in his hand.

Viper raises his hand cannon, his Light bursting forth from within.

“Not a goddamn chance.” Viper retaliates fully steeled for the battle to come.

To Be Continued