Part 1: Becoming a Hunter Part 2: Becoming a Hero Part 3: Becoming a Legend

“How’s it coming along Amanda?” Viper asks while visiting the Hangar for his usual routine before Luna and Revenant arrive. He arrived earlier because he wanted to check the progress on a gift he has planned for Luna once he feels she’s ready to go out into the world on her own.

“She’s almost ready V. I’d say she’ll be all set in four days top. This beauty cost you quite a bit didn’t it?” Amanda smiles as she puts her tools down on the Sparrow she was working on for another Guardian that came by earlier. She elbows V in the chest playfully, “You got such a soft spot for her don't ya?”

The Exo Hunter smiles and rubs the back of his head sheepishly. An unusual expression for the Hunter so well known for his charisma, “I don’t know what you’re talking about Amanda.” Aria materializes between the two and laughs, “You can’t fool us V. Women’s intuition never fails.” Amanda laughs as Viper groans at his ghost butting in as usual, “Don’t you start Aria.” She bounces with sass before replying, “You love it.” V sighs before chuckling at the truth of the statement, “I just feel like she deserves something special after everything she’s worked so hard to achieve as a Hunter ya know?”

Viper recalls the first time he saw he Bladedance on the Crucible matches. The way she danced and moved with such fatal ferocity and grace to steal victory from the enemies grasp. He was screaming at the top of his lungs or whatever the Exo equivalent was as she slayed that Behemoth at the last second. He was proud of his pupil.

Amanda smiles and Aria dances in a way that shows her joy as well to Viper’s statement before speaking, “I think it’s perfect. It’s what every Hunter needs when they go adventuring.” Amanda nods in agreement before chiming in, “You put alotta thought into it V. I know she’ll love it when it’s done. Speaking of…”

She gestures over to the stairs of the Hangar to see Revenant and Luna walking in together. As Viper takes in the sight of his Hunter pupil he can’t help but really take in how much she’s grown into her own person these past few weeks. For a brief moment he’s reminded of days long past when he’d meet up with Rev and Sai and felt the sensation of a synthetic tear leave one eye. He wipes away the tear quickly before anyone notices.

Luna smiles as she approaches, “V! Amanda! Aria! It’s good to see you again!” Polaris materializes and greets the three as well before floating beside Aria.

Revenant quietly nods his head before Lotus chimes in, “Oh come on Rev. You can say hello.”

Revenant groans to which Viper chuckles, “It’s good to see you Rev.”

“It’s good to see you too Viper.” Viper shakes his head, “You know you can call me V.” Revenant shrugs to which the Hunter just rolls his eyes. Luna was of course quietly observing the two as always.

She wanted to understand the two of them better. The two Exo’s were very important individuals in her life but what always confused her was how the two could talk about the other with such respect and care individually. Yet, when the two were beside each other there was always this underlying tension between them. What happened to them?

The two had been conversing the whole time while Luna was lost in her thoughts. By the time she realized it they were both smiling and staring at her to which Viper waves his hand in front of her face, “Earth to Luna. Come in Luna.” She snaps back to reality with a little jump backwards before looking at Viper and Revenant, “Lost in your thoughts?” Rev asked with a smile on his face. To which she nodded dumbly in agreement.

The two Exo’s look at each other and start laughing. Genuine laughter between these two was so rare of a sight to see. Rev rarely laughed because he was so collected most of the time and when Viper laughed it always felt forced or because he prefaced his laughter with some sort of wisecrack. To see both Exo’s genuinely laughing was…beautiful. Luna looked to Aria and Lotus who despite the lack of faces looked shocked but at the same time happy to see the two laughing together.

Revenant put a hand on Viper’s shoulder to keep himself from falling over from laughing while Viper was hugging his sides. Amanda couldn’t help but smile at the rare sight between the two Exo’s. Luna pouted slightly at the fact that their joy was at her expense but at the same time she couldn’t help but feel a warm sense of joy building inside her over this moment she helped create.

As the laughter dies down the two Exo’s look at each other quietly and smile before waving goodbye silently. Viper wondered if maybe he could ask Rev to catch up over a drink like old times. The Hunter looked at Luna and smiled, “Off to the moon today Luna. Nothing special for today’s lesson. Wanna just go pop some Hive skulls with our guns?” Luna smiles excitedly, “Fuck yeah!”

Revenant who hadn’t quite left the Hangar yet yelled from behind Luna, “I heard that young lady!” Viper laughs as Luna makes a break for it to Viper’s jumpship.

The flight to the moon was quick and uneventful. As Viper pulls into Sanctuary the two transmat down to the surface of the moon.

Luna and Viper pay Eris a quick hello. Eris looks happy to see Luna but annoyed to see Viper to a degree probably because he reminds her so much of Cayde. The two begin heading off by foot to their destination.

Viper remained quiet as they made their way to the Hellmouth. Luna stayed behind Viper who led the way and asked quietly, “Hey V…”

Viper looks back at her and stops, “What is it Luna?” The Hunter turns and faces his pupil. He can tell something is weighing on her mind and he has a pretty good idea what it is. Rev never had to say it but he could tell that a lot of what inspired Luna to become a Hunter was Sai Mota. It’s why he choose the Moon today for the final lesson.

Luna shifts her feet on the spot. She’s uncomfortable with what she wants to ask because every time she’s tried previously to Rev or V they’ve either refused, brushed it off, or hesitantly given small vague answers that never satisfied her curiosity. But at the same time she could tell how painful the subject was for Revenant especially and for Viper his smile always seemed to falter when talking about her.

Viper put a hand on her shoulder and said reassuringly to her, “We’ll talk about her when we arrive at the Hellmouth okay?” Luna looks at her mentor in surprise but nods quietly in understanding. The Hunter continued to lead the way through Archer’s Line.

The two making short work of any Vex or Fallen that stood in their way. Viper couldn’t help but be impressed how far Luna had come along on her own. He watched as she effortlessly sniped down two Hobgoblin Vex with ease as he shot down three Fallen while fanning the hammer of his Hand Cannon. The two stand side by side as they both simultaneously throw their knives into the last target. The Minotaur’s shield going down thanks to V’s explosive knife while it’s radiolarian core explodes from the impact of Luna’s own knife. They grab her knife with Viper taking notice it was Sai's knife. He smiled knowing that Rev took good care of it for so long and now he's gifted it to Luna.

Viper holds his hand way up high and Luna for the fun of showing off backflips over V and high fives him in the air to which the Exo laughed, “Show-off.” Luna laughs back and winks, “I learned from the best.”

As the two arrived at Hellmouth from Archer’s Line. Viper pointed to where they’d be perching for both scouting and sniping today.

The two quickly moved and took to their perch on the Cliffside where they had a wide expansive view of the swirling pit of death that was the Hellmouth.

Viper and Luna both took out their snipers. Viper rested his gun against his arm and smiled, “Ten shot switch?” Luna nods excitedly, “Absolutely!” It was a game he created on the patrols he took her on. The two would find somewhere nice they could snipe from uninterrupted with the objective being to snipe ten enemies dead as fast, as accurately, and with as little ammunition as possible. In other words, it was meant to teach Luna how to snipe headshots rapidly with as little ammo as possible per enemy. After one finishes their ten kill the next Hunter would take their turn sniping.

Luna took a position and got ready to start sniping as Viper looked at her from behind he took the time to appreciate the cloak Eris had made for her. It was truly beautiful and it really reminded him of Sai as he stared at all the charms carved for it that he couldn’t help but smile somberly remembering her and staring out to what was the place where she died.

“As you take your targets down. I’ll tell you everything I knew about Sai Mota.” Luna looked back at Viper and could see how painful this would be for him but she really did need to know. He shakes his head and chuckles weakly, “Heh. Rev is going to repeatedly reduce me to atoms with the Void when he finds out.” Luna bit her lower lip and began to speak but Viper held his hand up in protest before she could even say one syllable, “This is my choice Luna and as your mentor I’m ordering you to listen to my story as you practice your sniping.”

She nodded quietly and got back into position. Viper could easily tune out everything around him as he began to reminisce. No sound, not even the roar of stray Hive and Fallen in the area or Luna’s sniper going off with each shot could break his stride if it tried. He sighed quietly before looking at the Hellmouth.

Best read to this

Sai Mota was one of the first friends I made on the Tower as a fledgling Hunter. She was still relatively young in terms of how long she had been resurrected as a Guardian but her skills with a knife spoke volumes of her talent.

For the most part she was quiet. Rarely speaking even when spoken too but what few moments she did talk were special. She always knew the right thing to say. Her smile was infectious and her laughter brightened any room as she gave a speech. They say you can tell how talented a Hunter is based on their charisma alone. We’re often seen as egotistical cocky shits but when you really get down to it every Hunter just tries to make the best of any given situation.

With Sai she was charismatic in her own unique way. Those few words she ever spoke always lifted anyone’s spirits from the darkest depths. She was wise beyond her years and sometimes I wondered if secretly she might’ve been a Warlock in disguise.

‘Welcome to the Tower Viper-7.’ Were the first words she ever spoke to me. Doesn’t seem like much right? But in all honesty they were the first words I needed to hear while I was on my own. I was scared and confused. I had been brought back from the dead with no recollection of who I was save for an old acoustic guitar Aria kept safe for me. But this woman in that one moment held out her hand greeting me with those kind genuine words and for the first time I knew I had found a friend and a place to call home in this second life of mine.

Sai and I often went scouting together after Cayde, Andal, and even Tevris and Shiro felt I was capable of exploring on my own as it were. I was still a newbie in comparison to almost any other Hunter but Sai welcomed me with a smile on that first solo operation. We had to scout two separate fronts simultaneously. Even though we were working together we had to separate on arrival. It was the early days of the Great Ahamkara Hunts and our mission was to visit Io on potential activity by those infamous monsters. Needless to say it was an experience in its own right. The Ahamkara were paracausal monsters that could change shape and size at will and alter space and reality through the wishes they granted but those wishes always came at a price.

Maybe one day I could tell you about the Great Ahamkara Hunts. Rev, Sai, and I had quite the adventures slaying those dragons with many Guardians by our side. But I’m getting off track…

Sai introduced me to Revenant. She really liked him. It was obvious in her eyes she loved Revenant despite how…heh bland I initially found him. He was quiet like any typical Warlock but also very reserved and logical. He was trained by some of the greatest Guardians like Timur and Felwinter and it showed in his armor he wore once upon a time but also his presence. It felt like standing in front of a myth. Something that only exists in the realms of fairy tales. How little did I know that Rev would go on to become one of the most legendary Warlock’s in existence.

The three of us got along great. No matter where our missions took the three of us we’d always make the time to meet back up in The Tower for a bowl of Ramen or a drink at one of the bars. When the three of us could finally meet up it always felt like picking up where we left off no matter how long we were apart those days. I think when she was with us it was one of the few times she truly spoke openly and freely especially in Revenant’s presence. Sometimes, I honestly felt like a third wheel there but I was happy to have these two in my life. Sai with her long winded speeches that brought out the best in everyone and Revenant who despite his rigid personality was a source of calm and tranquility in those dark days. I truly couldn’t have asked for two better friends back in those early days. Overtime, I met many other guardians who would become close to my heart as well but those two were the closest to me. I remember how fondly Sai had a habit of carving charms or beads with her knife out various materials but usually from wood or spinmetal. I remember how she gifted both of us two special charms she made. A spinmetal coin for both of us with a special symbol she usually carved saying it was a protective charm. That no matter where we went, these charms would protect us and bring us back home safely. I honestly thought it was kind of hokey and silly to be blunt but…the way she looked at us as she gave us those charms she honestly believed they held a special power to protect us. So of course we took them with pride. I still have that coin to this day in my back pocket. It’s sadly faded from so much wear but it still feels like a piece of her is with me ya know? The three of us were inseparable after that moment.

At least…until that day.

We called it The Great Disaster. Fitting because that is what it was. The Consensus in their stupidity. Let me tell you this now. Don’t let the Consensus control you. We may be an immortal army that defends the last of humanity to the bitter end but even we have our limits and can still die a final death at the right hands. Anyways…

Not even shortly after barely scraping by a victory at The Burning Lake against the Hive. The Consensus felt it was time for the Guardians to reclaim the Moon from the Hive’s hands. But we weren’t prepared. Even Lord Shaxx had protested we weren’t ready against the Hive’s ritual magic and their powers of The Sword Logic. What would occur would be a slaughter of so many Guardians in a hopeless battle of conquest. The Moon might as well have been glowing red in the sky that day with the blood of so many Guardians dead.

Sai and I weren’t recruited for that battle despite Cayde leading the battle on one front because the two of us were off world on a mission that day. But Revenant had been. He fought alongside Legends like Eriana-3 and Gunnvor. But there was one Titan in particular who could be labeled a myth by today’s standards since no one could match her feats of strength. Her name was Wei Ning. Some say she punched a mountain so hard it actually moved. Wei Ning would die her final death that day by Crota’s Blade. Her death would be one of two catalysts for what would come to pass to be Sai’s Death. The other was Revenant.

The Great Disaster had seen so many of our friends and fellow Guardians experience their final deaths on the moon. What was an army that numbered in the thousands, barely a third of that force managed to escape with their lives. Some had survived but were trapped on the moon as well. We didn’t know and we couldn’t know. The Consensus had forbidden all travel to The Moon save for any special exceptions and even then those were almost always denied unless it was approved by all three Vanguard Commander’s. So as far they were concerned those left up there trapped were considered Killed In Action. Rev was one of those who was still stuck on the moon that day. He survived but we had no way of knowing so the City had it written that he died in the line of duty that day. We didn’t even know he had been recruited for the battle until it was all over.

We had met that day at the usual bar. When I arrived…Sai was alone. Usually, I was always the last to arrive and when I saw her I immediately knew something had happened. Walking through the City that day I returned which was no more then a week since The Great Disaster occurred. The grief and pain within those walls was still so palpable amongst every person you passed. As I took a seat…the look in her eyes alone told me everything. Revenant was dead. I screamed in anger and slammed my fists on the table causing the wood to splinter and break upon impact. That was the first real loss that impacted me so heavily and the way it impacted Sai. It was too much to bear.

This was how you learn that the life of a Guardian can be truly painful. Despite our immortal lives we can still die. Those that survive are left with grief and emptiness that can no longer be filled by the loss of those they leave behind. Getting attached to the regular citizens can be almost cruel to yourself knowing they’ll die while you may live for another hundred or more years yearning for the sound of their voice.

With Sai it was torture to watch what she had become. While she may have been quiet before I feel like I only really noticed she became even quieter after that. Her heart ached for Revenant. She loved him so dearly and whole heartedly. I tried to be there for her. But despite the brave face she hid behind so well. Only I could really see how much she ached for one last sound of his voice or one last glimpse of his face.

‘I'll remember the Light. But…will it remember me?’ Was the first thing she said to me a week after Rev’s death. I hugged her tight that day as the tears fell from both our eyes. She was hollow and empty. She still did missions with precision and grace that she was known for but now there was no life in her step. No charisma that exuded from her character. No infectious smile. Her laughter despite lighting up a room as she gave a speech hid a twang of bitter sadness underneath that the one person she wanted there most could not hear her voice anymore.

I wish I could’ve done more. I tried to help ease the pain of loss as best I could while dealing with my own grief over his death at the time. We kept going on missions together and for a time. I honestly thought she was getting better. She obviously hadn’t moved on but that spark that defines a Hunter’s sense of adventure looked like it had returned just slightly. For a time I honestly believed the Sai Mota I had known and first met a had returned but it wasn’t meant to last.

One day she was gone. She left me a communication with Aria detailing what she had agreed too. Eris Morn and Eriana-3 had recruited her on and unsanctioned mission alongside Toland The Shattered, Omar Agah, and Vell Tarlowe. I was on Venus at the time and abandoned my mission to try and stop her. But somehow those damn fools managed to bypass the sensors to the Moon with travel still being expressly forbidden. As my jumpship pulled in I was immediately halted by a communication by The Consensus and forced to return to the City otherwise the few Jumpships patrolling the perimeter would use lethal force and shoot me down. I faced Cayde that day. He could tell I was desperate to try head there. But there was nothing he could do.

I feared for her life. I prayed to the charm she’d given me always rubbing my thumb against the charm’s symbol causing it to wear out with time. I just wished that whatever happened I could walk back into the bar and scream at her for upsetting me and then hug her for being alive. But the day never came. The Vanguard eventually received the final transmissions of the Crota Fireteam led by Eriana-3. Cayde told me everything in private knowing how much of a friend Sai was to me.

I listened to her final toast on repeat for so long after learning of her death. Aria still has it saved so I can at least never forget her voice. Play it please Aria…

‘A toast, then! To the best fireteam I've ever worked with. We may not be the smartest. And we may not be the bravest. But we are the dumbest! To victory!’

I can barely remember what she looked like. I want to say it’s just the old jumbled Exo Memories causing me to forget. But I honestly wonder…do I want to remember her face? Do I want to imagine how she died? Omnigul’s wormrot eating away her body. She died laughing in the face of death like a real Hunter. She died with a smile on her face.

We found Yuka; her ghost a short while back within the Hellmouth. Yuka’s final recording had said she watched Sai die 44 times. The wormrot preventing her from healing her fully with each revival. She never left Sai’s side despite her light fading. Yuka held onto to the hope that she could maybe revive Sai one last time. But it never happened. Sai Mota was dead.

Remembered as a hero who paved the way for Guardian’s to take a chance and become stronger and possibly one day save the world from Crota’s Wrath in The Dark Below. Me? All I could feel was alone and hurt. Cayde tried to keep me on my feet while I grieved. He kept me afloat when everything made me feel like I was drowning slowly.

But as time moved forward. So did I. I never forgot her. If anything I remember her not as a hero as the tower makes her out most days in stories of ages past. I remember her as my first friend. My fellow Hunter. My sister. My ally. My comrade. My family. She’s no longer here and that’s something Hunter’s are all too aware of. Every adventure and every choice is a risk of no tomorrow. But, you gotta take those risks to truly fight for what’s worth fighting for. I know I made it out to sound like she was walking towards her death knowingly out of revenge for a dead lover. But there’s always more to it.

Sai fought not just to avenge Rev. But she herself wished to be avenged. She went in knowing there may be no hope in defeating Crota. That it was a fool’s errand from the get-go. But she held onto hope. Hope that maybe she could kill Crota and bring peace of mind to the Citizen’s of The Last City. But also, she gave hope and inspiration to aspiring Guardians. A passing of the torch. If she couldn’t pull it off with her fireteam she knew her death would inspire another to take her place and accomplish what she couldn’t. This is the story of Sai Mota. The most beautiful Bladedancer who ever graced this world and I miss her so much.

Luna sat quietly staring at V as he finished his story. She now understood why it was so hard for both of them to talk about her and she could guess why it caused such a divide between the two to which she said her thoughts out loud, “So when Rev came back. You told him what happened didn’t you?”

V nodded quietly, “In his grief over the shock of the news. He blamed me partially for her death. Told me I should’ve done more to stop her. Should’ve ignored the Consensus warning and took the risk to land on the Moon despite possibly being shot down.” V sighed thinking about it, “Not a day goes by every time I visit here. That I wonder what would could’ve happened if I had done this or something else. Could I have honestly changed her mind? Or was it a lost cause to stop her?”

Luna looked like she was going to cry to which Viper pulled her in close for a hug, “It’s okay Luna. Just because she isn’t here anymore doesn’t mean she’s still not with us in spirit. For Revenant what is his grief, if not his love for her, persevering through it all?” She choked back tears quietly as Viper held her gently, “For Hunters like us though. The cloaks we wear are the memories we carry of those we loved and lost. We carry on their dreams, their promises, and their adventures whether dead or alive. Our cloaks are the promises that their spirits continue on living through us.”

She couldn’t hold back her tears anymore and cried loudly echoing through the Hellmouth. Viper held her tight and shielded her from any harm that may come their way, “Luna, you get to carry Sai’s spirit alongside me with your cloak. Wherever you go with that cloak of yours you were given by Rev and Eris, Sai will experience everything you witness. She’ll see worlds through your eyes wherever her spirit may lie now in peace. You are a Hunter now.” He pats her gently on the head as he continues, “You’ll forge your own destiny. Experience your own adventures around the universe. You’ll laugh and cry and smile. You’ll experience so many different emotions. So many memories will form the collective that will be the story of the Bladedancing Hunter known as Luna.” She nodded through her tears as Aria and Polaris manifested, “Transmat us back to the ship before the enemy surrounds us.” The ghosts nod silently.

Viper wiped away Luna’s tears gently with his thumbs. She sniffled. Her eyes all red and puffy, her nose all gross and runny, and her breathing was ragged from crying so much. She looked like a mess and Rev was probably going to hurt V on several levels for telling her the story of Sai and making Luna cry such awful crocodile tears.

He kissed her gently on the forehead like a doting uncle he felt he had become to her and gave her a gentle smile as she cleaned her face with her arms, “Do you want to pilot the ship back home?” He asked gently.

Luna looked up surprised, “Really?” V nodded and smiled, “Consider it your second final lesson. Don’t worry I’ll guide you through it and Polaris has got your back too." She smiles and laughs happily at the thought before running over to the pilot’s seat and strapping herself in.

Viper stood up and walked slowly up behind her. She looked up beaming at the enjoyment of being in the pilot’s seat to which he smiled proudly before pointing out to her, “Alright, so the first thing you want to do…” Viper slowly taught her the controls one by one guiding her slowly as they returned to orbit and made their way to the Last City. As the entered Earth’s orbit Viper smiled proudly as he saw The Last City and thought quietly to himself…

Sai, wherever you are. I just want you to know…I’m okay now.

To Be Concluded