"We abandoned you," said the angelic light. "We gave you so much and you used it not to seek the light, but to tear the ether from your own race. I speak, of course, of your race…"

The lifeless husk beneath the light could say nothing in defense or response.

"But you," continued the light, regarding the torn cape and sigil on the back of its object, "You turned from the ether. Toward the light. You forsook House and name and Kell. Forwent even the food of your Prime. The light is not so hard as to be unforgiving."

Still the husk said nothing.

"Fallen no more. Rise up, Guardian. The light has heeded your call."

And the flash was brilliant…

"Good thing we followed that Ghost," said Azariah.

"Did it just… Revive a Fallen?!" said Blytz.

The Hunter who spoke first took her long rifle out of its sling and looked down the scope.

"It definitely did. Yup. Just merged with him. It's gone. Only a captain without weapons out there n-... Hang on. It still has shock blades on its back. No cape and sigil, though. But the fabric looks like House Devils. I've heard of fallen angels, but risen ones?"

"Should we go help?"

Azariah lowered the rifle and shrugged.

"Worst case? We put it back on the ground. Best case? We just found the first Fallen Guardian."

"Weren't they 'Guardians' before us?"

"Semantics."

The two, Hunter and Warlock, began their approach.

"You must have a lot of questions, Guardian, but for now we need to get you back to the City in one piece. I'm your Ghost. We'll need to get you a ride, and we should probably find a beacon so I can contact the Tower. Signal strength will be weak until I can be registered with their communications."

"I'm confused, Ghost… Memories all missing. Two tongues now. And the hunger…"

"The confusion will pass. You're just disoriented. And the English is from me, so you would understand your new allies. The hunger, though… What do you mean?"

"Ether. The ether."

"We should be able to find some from other Fallen. They carry ether sups, if not many."

"Damn the hunger…"

"Even Exos need Light, Guardian. Let's- Movement! Your left!"

The big captain whirled, his lower arms clenching into fists, his upper arms drawing his blades. He faced the unknown with a loud snarl, one known to all Guardians. Before him were two Guardians, a Hunter and a Warlock, hands up and empty.

"Whoa, there!" said Azariah. "We saw you get up. Are you a friend?"

The Fallen looked from the one who spoke to the other and back. He heard his Ghost speak within him.

"Fellow Guardians. Sorry for the false alarm. They don't seem hostile… Yet. Calm down."

The Fallen relaxed by degrees, eventually lowering its blades.

"You were right Azariah..." said Blytz. "What's your name, Guardian?"

The question took the Fallen by surprise. He straightened a bit more, his blades forgotten, in light shock. His Ghost emerged to answer.

"I just woke him up. I doubt he'll remember that right away. For now, we need your help. He needs ether, and a ride to the Tower."

"Sure, sure. Blytz, would you help him get some sups from the Fallen around here? I'll head back to the Tower and call for help."

"Good idea. Alrighty, then! I'm with you, big guy. There's some subway ruins not far from here. Fallen like to gather there to look for parts, so that's where we'll be. See you soon, Azariah."

The Fallen Guardian lowered his head. "Thank you…" was all he could muster.

"The Speaker will see you now," said a Frame attendant, motioning the three Guardians forward. Blytz and Azariah flanked the new Guardian as they entered the Speaker's chamber.

"I see the light has found you at last, Guardian," said the Speaker, level-toned as always. "You two did well to bring him here. For now, Warlock, please fetch Commander Zavala and Cayde."

"Right away," said Blytz, jogging out of the room.

"As you are no doubt aware, you are the first of your race to fall under our banner. There are many Guardians and citizens alike with a grudge against your race. They will see you as an affront to their way of life. Remain in the tower for now. Let us outfit you as a Guardian and have you trained."

Blytz returned with the two Vanguards, leaving Ikora Ray to field questions.

"Excellent timing. Guardian, before you lies a choice. We must complete your infusion of light, and assign you to your class. Your light is strong, so this won't take much time. Who are you? Have you stared into the Void, hoping to understand it? Are you a Light no Darkness could ever put out? A Warlock, seeking knowledge of all things? Are you a lone wolf, stalking prey and awaiting the perfect shot? Do you seek beauty in the fight, an elegance in the cut of your blade? A Hunter, making the paths and rules as you go? Or will you take the fight closer than any gun will allow? Be a wall against which the very Darkness itself will break? A Titan, a merciless defender?"

The Speaker let the question sit, all in attendance waiting in silence to hear the Fallen's answer.

He tilted his head for a moment, a soft snarl preceding his deep voice.

"I will take my fight to the enemy. Fallen because we once lost ourselves to Darkness, yes? Then a wall is what I must be, merciless to this Darkness. A Titan."

Zavala stepped forward, nodding. "Then I will help finish your infusion."

"Be still. This will only take a moment," said the Speaker. He and Zavala reached out their hands toward the Fallen in captain's armor. Sparks raced up the armor, Void light flashing from every gap. The energy was such that the Fallen flexed every muscle, struggling to stand. In seconds it was over, leaving the new Guardian breathless.

"Have you remembered your name, Guardian?"

The Fallen heaved a few more breaths, raising its head. "I was Morik, Devil Baron."

"Beyond that," said the Speaker, "You should avoid trying to bring up any further memories. Guardians have mixed success, and none walk away from their endeavors sane. I imagine you, of all Guardians, will find more pain than anything else from such attempts. Be that as it may, you must now undergo your training to familiarize yourself with the powers the Light bestows. If you would rather do this in a controlled environment, The Crucible, speak with Lord Shaxx. It will put you in conflict with fellow Guardians for live combat practice. Otherwise, you can start by returning to the field and tracking down beacons with your Ghost. It is able to brief you on all your new abilities, and will explain them as your light grows stronger."

"I'll make sure you're registered to accept bounties as well," said Zavala, leaving the room with the other Guardians.

"And, finally," said the Speaker, "Take this missive to our shipwright on the other side of the Tower. She will issue you one of our refurbished ships. Something to aid in your travels."

Morik nodded his head, accepting the missive. He walked out of the room after the group that had left ahead of him. Taking long strides, he walked ahead of them and turned to face them. Surprised, they stopped. Morik bowed his head.

"You two," he said, meaning Blytz and Azariah, "offered me help when I had nothing to give. Aided what appears as foe. For this, I am in your debt. May we meet again soon."

With that he turned and followed his Ghosts directions to go about his business...

The next day, in his new Kestral-class ship, Morik flew out to a listed patrol. Still aided by his Ghost, he listened to more instructions during travel.

"You're still able to use any weapons you find, but I can only convert specific types of ammunition. Scavenged gear will be limited to what you can pick up yourself. We'll need help from the Tower to craft you new armor, since anything sold there is made for human-like bodies. A Titan's Mark should be ready for you along with some standard weapons when we return. For now, let's focus on recovering a store of ether sups and completing a few bounties. I'll guide the ship in as close as I can to our first target. Recently, after the House of Wolves' uprising, we discovered where the House of Kings hides. The Kings and Devils are close to each other, but without your cape and sigil, you might be met as an enemy by both. Which… I suppose you are now. You're stronger than you know right now, as well. Remember what I told you about forming grenades and your Overload ability. Your light is still too weak to use Fist of Havoc, but we should be able to change that soon… We'll be landing here."

As the Ghost said that, the their ship slowed over a gap in some ruins.

"Initiating transmat," reported the Ghost.

Morik felt himself deform, and there was a brief sensation of weightlessness before he reformed just above the ground. He had a spare auto rifle in his lower arms and rested his upper arms over his shoulders, ready to draw his shock blades. The familiar smell of snow and dirt and rust filled the air. Nothing hostile yet.

"I'll be overlaying sensor feedback onto your vision. It'll be a bit disorienti-... You're… Probably used to that at this point, aren't you? I'll be showing you basic motion tracking, the status of the shielding I can provide, how much ammo I can synthesize for your current weapon, and the status of your new abilities. Using each will drain your light temporarily, and it will take time before it recovers enough to use them again."

"Understood… Time, now, to hunt… No more talk, yes?"

Cover provided by BrokenNoah. Links in bio.

Ether Hunt coming soon...