Forsaken Guardians Friends? or Scorned?

[Cayde POV next day]

Well, yesterday was certainly a very intriguing shopping trip with the new Forsaken Vanguard Guardians. A lot of racism because of how a lot of them looked, but they played it off rather well surprisingly. The ones usually seen as Guardians even bulked up in defense of their Forsaken friends. It was honestly amusing to watch a big burly group cower when those twins get feisty with protectiveness.

I had learned as well how each of them had supposedly been chosen by their Phantoms. It was surprising and made me think about how many good ones we've killed. Ikora was the most shell shocked as muttered something… with regret in her voice. The Hive God was the most surprising in why she and her guards were selected.

"I believe I was made Forsaken because I and these loyal children did not enjoy needless conquest. I stayed on my hive ship mostly only attacking when provoked or in need of food. We did not actively seek to spread or uselessly torture our prey, we made it a swift death. The Darkness… did not like my hive's work ethic and so Osiris came. My faithful children died for following me, I died for being "worthless" even after ascending during our fight. Being a Forsaken Guardian is welcoming, warm yet cold, the Exo pair even seem to value my hive."

Turns out there were passive and non-cruel Hive out there but either hiding or dead. That was truly a slap to the face to know but welcomed, plus the Hive God had style. Then things got bloody, no one died, well one of the twins did, but she revived instantly, twenty thugs are crippled, though. The Forsaken REALLY got defensive seeing children from an orphanage get hurt. The Vex getting riled up was surprising for the most part though because time traveling death machines. Ikora asked Empirous about the sudden aggression and well the machine stumped her, I think they just said fuck it violence.

"Inquiry acknowledged, response: Seemed logical to defend small organisms as Forsaken Guardian."

Though we had to pry the Kelless off the leader she was going for the kill. Her fellow Fallen wanted to as well but restrained themselves, just note to self. NEVER ABUSE CHILDREN IN FRONT OF THE KELLESS UNLESS I'M SUICIDAL. Ikora agreed with my note to self as she rubbed her face. On a positive note, the children surprisingly adored their violent saviors. That's good publicity there, children are always good publicity for things that are helpful. Hell some elderly even loved them, surprisingly a grandma from when everything was being destroyed was still alive.

The old lady had recognized the Cabal's and the Twin's, seeing the four she shuffled over to them and hugged them. The large Cabal Forsaken both hugged her gently with surprise seeing her again. Boy did she berate people who were rude to the Forsaken…. I gave her one of the cloaks I bought as it had a Forsaken emblem. But I didn't want anything to happen to her or the children, so I had contacted some more open-minded Guardians to watch over them if they could.

Coming out of my musings about yesterday I noticed Shaxx relaxing against a chair holding a fur cape. Kicking my feet off the command table I got up and walked over to the old Titan. Peaking over his shoulder I see the cape has a dragon skull with Shaxx's Crucible symbol idea, and a broken tombstone. If I had to guess I'd say the tombstone is Forsaken Guardian. Tapping on the big guy's shoulder I get his attention.

"Sooo did you enjoy those drinks and I see you were given something, it looks impressive."

"Yes… yes I did Cayde. It was very relaxing and a great experience. I needed that night more than I thought. This? Hearing my dream of the Crucible they decided to have Skell make this for me. To show Dragoon's and Forsaken support my dream…. Myriad also did make a wonderful therapy dog, to half the bar."

"Heh poor girl got cuddled by numerous drunks. I and Ikora had a shopping tour with rest and things were actually great. Zavala though was being an absolute ass when we returned saying stuff about how what we did was reckless. But actors of a trope never stay hidden long, and had to get the initial introduction over peacefully."

"Young Zavala simply does not get what is happening but then again none of us do. However, I believe the Forsaken Vanguard has a deeper purpose, forces of Darkness working within a sister group with other Light races, is something with a profound meaning."

"Oh how right you are Shaxx, there's a reason we exist, and every race is under us. We've gotten more members."

The pair in question who lead the sister Vanguard appeared suddenly with Ikora and Zavala. Hearing they got new members though I was curious and required my curiosity to be satisfied.

"How many did you get?"

"Sixty-two Humans, ninety-one Awoken, one hundred Exo's, seventy Fallen, fifty Cabal, Three hundred Vex, and six hundred ten Hive Forsaken Guardians. A good mix of single and double classes with the rare triple class. They each have fallen under suitable commanders for their styles of combat and morals. Surprisingly, a lot of them all have been picked because they defended people not their own, mostly children."

"By the Traveler! How far have you sent Phantoms for most of those?!"

Good question Ikora.

"Death isn't bound by distance, if the soul or remnants of self still exists, the Phantom will hunt and bring them instantly. So, most could possibly be from their original galaxies and revived here."

That… that's actually scary but amazing he's able to help bolster our dwindling numbers this way. Just the hive must have been some of our resident Hive God's old hive. It seems Ikora also had come to that realization as she smiled a bit in a confused way. Can't blame her as I wouldn't know if she'd be happy to see her hive reviving under a new banner. But I sense that she is probably ecstatic as she seemed to consider them to be her children.

"Find more Humans, Awoken, and Exo's to fill your ranks. It sets a precedent if you mostly have Darkness creatures in your Vanguard."

Ah, Zavala. Why did you say that when you're not even trying to get to know these new Guardians? Chimera and Myriad had dull looks and Shaxx was slowly snarling in front of me. Backing away from the Titan I watched them all. The first to speak in a very dangerously mechanical monotone voice was Chimera.

"I will not force selection priorities on my Phantoms just because you have a stick up your ass. If someone is chosen regardless of their race, they are welcomed into my Vanguard. You DON'T decide that for my vanguard CHILD it's not yours to meddle in."

"You don't see-"

The Exo male moved too quickly for Zavala to react. One moment he was speaking then a frozen void flaming sword cut him down the middle. Chimera looking at his corpse disinterestedly even after being revived he wasn't interested in Zavala. Even as Zavala tried to attack for the sudden death, Myriad moved quicker, flaming solar claws sending Zavala flying with a groan. Zavala landed by Shaxx. Seeing the cape he held, Zavala kept the ball rolling and proceeded to piss the old Titan off. Burning the cape while trying to speak, Zavala is turned to pasta as Shaxx smashed him with a tri-light elemental Warhammer.

Zavala's ghost apologizes to the three with an almost sob to its voice at how its Guardian is acting. Upon reviving once more his Ghost promptly abducted him to his ship. Chimera walked over to Shaxx and offered him a more refined and impressive furred cape. Shaxx took it from his old friend gratefully before trudging out of the room. Guardians who had been standing in the doorway gawking parting for the old Titan. Before they themselves left some whispering about Zavala's attitude.

Sighing, I took my leave to study everyone else's reactions to what they saw and heard. Everything was mostly positive, surprisingly given usual perspectives because the new Forsaken had actively been mingling with both Guardians and citizens, apparently. The first Forsaken raised by Phantoms sometimes walked around with the groups apparently to help them. House Difference was very surprisingly loved by the Guardians, the Hive by the children…. Worrisome but I'll trust their God isn't planning for a nibble. The Cabal and Vex were taken to by the elderly of the city for how they treated them.

The more common ones seem as Guardians were seen usually going around on the walls. They were observing the armies outside with a few of the other races in Forsaken. Frankly, I'm glad that they're being accepted so quickly as they'll be great allies and friends to have. That thought was when some Forsaken Fallen walked into the bar with various impressive weapons. They sat down at a table and quietly ordered some drinks and food. Listening in on them, they had just come back from outside the walls.

The Cabal and Fallen outside seemed confused and angered by their "betrayals," yet they seemed to have handled themselves. Their Kelless was apparently skulking outside the walls with her Archon and Captain striking at important area's. Gotta hand it to them, the Forsaken are proactive in getting to work to prove their worth. Taking a sip of some whiskey a commotion was started by some drunken Guardians with the Forsaken. Who continued to eat their food while holding back attacks with their free arms.

Which angered the drunken Guardians, so they elected to try using destructive abilities in the bar. Getting up to stop them the Guardian's abilities were canceled out by a Fallen Warlock with a glowing black hand. The Warlock spoke in a very calm manner as she ate.

"Now, no destroying the bar with your drunk rampages. Why are you even hostile to us may I ask? After all we're all Guardians under the Light God."

"Yoooouu fucking bitch *hic* don't act like you're one of us! Your race is one of the reasons we have to die so much! The fact you *hiiick* think you're even a Guardian is disgusting!"

"Mm now I see the second reason why we are Forsaken Guardians. Because of past relationships of races you'd seek to hurt us, possibly even permanently kill us once more if given a chance. Quite unpleasant but our Kell has given rules, and thus we shall be the bigger "men" and leave peacefully. Thank you, master, for lunch, have a wonderful day."

"Aye, come back soon children. This old barkeep would rather have a positive relationship with the Forsaken Vanguard."

Taking their leave the Fallen group left quietly and peacefully, which seemed to anger the very drunk Guardians. Before they could chase them a very familiar old lady appeared. Forsaken cloak wrapped around her cozily she berated and swatted the Guardians. However, when a Titan nearly KILLS her I stepped in hand cannon drawn I crippled the attacker. Ignoring the pained scream I walked over to the drunk group.

"Hello again grandma, what are you doing here?"

"Oooh you're the kind Exo who was escorting those sweet children around! I'm just fine dear, I was having lunch with my grandson when I saw these rude rascals harassing those children!"

Chuckling I helped settle everything, the GMP being called to detain the drunks.

"I just hope when war breaks out, no one tries backstabbing the Forsaken Vanguard. I quite like them and their leaders."