She wasn't sure when she was going to the reef, but what she did know was that she needed to be careful. Her fingers brushed over the rim of the glass before her. She couldn't help but think of her sister... she missed her dearly. Her eyes drifted up to see her brother and Lion staring each other down. It looked like they were about to have a wrestling match or something of the sort, which was relatively normal considering. She figured they were coping in their own way. Loki had brought up a valid point about their existence and she couldn't deny that there was a definite truth to it.

'We are unnatural. We were dead, but now we live again. We are this horrendous creation that once we fulfil our duty, we should probably pass on once more anyways. Now... I'm definitely not saying that I want to die, but when my time comes... it comes. I think Kira and Floyd knew that theirs would come one day, they probably just didn't think it would be so soon. I mean... from what I remember of being dead... there is an afterlife. So I would assume Kira would want to be with her husband and children once more, don't you think?'

She felt like he understood it better than she did. Not that she wanted to understand the pain she was in. She just wanted to stop hurting. That scratching in her lungs started up once more and despite her attempt at withholding the cough, it escaped her. It turned into another one of her coughing fits, but this one was more violent than the previous ones had been. Lion and Loki had turned to look at her, while Cayde-6 who was sitting beside her in the booth; placed a hand on her back and the other on her hands, which were covering her mouth. When she finally managed to catch her breath and stop coughing once more, her eyes were locked on the inky black liquid that was pooled in her hands.

"You need help." Cayde-6 said and she shook her head. "I will be fine." She whispered as she wiped it away from her lips. "Ashura... you are not ok in the slightest. Ever since you were impaled in the vault, the oil has spread faster through your system." Loki chastised softly. "What am I supposed to do about it then?" she hissed and he frowned. "Kira said something about the prince of the reef, Uldren working with her to help her. What if he could help you too?" Loki asked and she frowned as she looked at her hands, the sheen from the oil still visible on the palm of her hand. "Fine. When do we leave?" she asked and he frowned.

"As soon as Holliday has finished the repairs on her ship." Loki said and Cayde-6 nodded. "It should only be a few more hours." Cayde-6 offered and Ashura clenched her fists. "Why do we have to take her ship?" Ashura snarled softly and Cayde-6 gripped her hand lightly. "Ashura... taking her ship is actually your best bet to get into the reef unscathed." Ivara offered before Cayde-6 could speak, causing him to give her a dirty look. "That's bullshit and you know it. They invited me in." she seethed and Loki slammed his fist on the table. "But not us. They did not invite Lion and I, so I figure... we take Kira's ship and use it to our advantage. It isn't like she is going to be using it anymore damn it!" Loki snarled and Ashura stared at him with pure rage in her eyes. "Get away from me." She hissed and he school his head.

"No, she is gone and you need to understand that for her, it was probably for the best!" Loki snapped and she fisted her hands. "You know how she was... Ashura... she was... painfully optimistic... all the time. She was soft and loving... she was strong, but in her own way... she wasn't cut out for this. We all knew this, even she knew it. That was why she was always trying to get you to talk to the prince. She thought he could help you because she knew she couldn't." Loki started his rant angrily, but the more he said, the softer his words became. "Ashura... you and I both know she was looking out for us rather than herself because she knew what was going to happen to her one day." He whispered and the tears started to fall once more.

She felt like she couldn't even look at him. He made her so angry, but she knew he was right. "Now... Lion and I are going to go fool around in the crucible. I want to try and raise my rank, set the standards and then break them." Loki said and Lion nodded. "We are strong. We just have to prove it." Loki said as he walked away. Ashura glanced up at Cayde-6 from beneath her bangs. He had propped his legs up on the table and sunk down in the seat. "Cayde..." she whispered and he looked over at her from where he was flipping through a magazine with a little brown chicken on the cover. "Is my anger over this irrational?" she asked and he straightened up.

"Is it rational?" he asked himself, tapping his chin lightly. "Yeah, it's rational. The way you are handling it is not, but your anger is justified." He said and she looked at him fully. "How so?" she asked and he set his book down. "Have I ever told you about when I was human?" he asked and she rocked her head in an iffy manner. "Sometimes, but mainly you talk about Ivara." She said and he nodded. "You wonder why I always talk about her?" he asked and she watched him curiously. "I never knew what I would do until I lost her. She had survived everything with me... but I lost her to the fallen. She lost her first life trying to protect me." He said and Ashura watched him with sadness in her eyes.

"If you were to ask anyone who knew the human me... they'd tell you I became reckless. They'd tell you the only reason I died as a human was because I got cocky and angry." He said as he reached up and scratched at his hood slightly. "Do Zavala and Ikora know of your past?" she asked and he shrugged. "All they honestly know is that I've always been with this lovely lady right here." He said and pointed at the ghost that hovered around him in silence. "I want you to promise me something, Ashura." He started and she looked over at him. "Find someone who you fall in love with... someone you know that you will love no matter how many times you die." He said and she furrowed her brows at him.

"If I hadn't been reunited with her... I don't know what I would have done. Maybe I would be angry still. But I was lucky enough to have her as a ghost, and I was lucky enough to meet you. So I would say I have it made at the moment." He said with a small chuckle. "Aw Cayde, so sentimental." She said with a snarky tone and he huffed. "Just be glad I actually like you." He scoffed and she smiled at him. A notification appeared on her gauntlet and she couldn't help the amused chuckle she received. She leaned and showed it to Cayde, who shook his head. "Your brother is an odd one, isn't he?" he asked and she nodded. "Same for Lion." She added and he shook his head.

"If you ever want to meet someone who was obsessed about the crucible you would have had to have met Thalor. Man... that guy was the epitome of a sports bar. The hooting and the screaming and the calling fouls on killing people then tea bagging them when he took someone down." Cayde-6 sighed and Ashura blinked at him in a slight horror. Now, Loki and Lion dancing on the bodies of people in the crucible was one thing, but this Thalor guy seemed to be a completely obsessed nut. She looked back at the screen and she had received a message from Amanda Holliday.

"Time to go?" he asked and she nodded.

"Be safe."

:-:-:

She looked back to see her brother and Lion discussing where to and where not to hide weapons. "We are coming as peaceful emissaries." She butted in and the two offered sheepish looks. She rolled her eyes as she looked through her armor to choose the least intimidating set. The only set that seemed like it was relatively harmless was also the one that was the most skin tight on her. It was more of an elegant armor set than anything, so she figured why not. She slipped into the other room of the ship and her heart fluttered as she looked at all the gear donning the reef's colors. She swapped her armor and watched as the new armor crawled over her form. The material was tight, but it wasn't tight enough to outline the ridges of her Exo leg.

She opened an armory cabinet and a black hunter cloak with the gold and purple emblem of the reef on it. She brushed her fingers over the soft but sturdy fabric and pulled it over her shoulders, running her fingers up the material to pull the hood over her head. She also grabbed a fairly simplistic glass shield helmet and placed it against her face to have it form over the back of her head and encase her hair. She made her way out of the back room only for her brother and friend to be watching her carefully as she secured her partial chest plate in place. They watched her for a moment then went back to discussing whatever they had been prior to her coming back in the room.

"So what do you think it's going to be like?" Lion asked and she leaned to look out the window, but all she could see was debris. "Kira said it was beautiful, but mechanically so." Loki said and she nodded. "Maybe something has happened?" she offered as she saw the debris from ships floating past their window. A flicker of movement in the corner of her eye made her hold up her hand to silence them. "Get down, I don't think these are friendlies." She said as a group of awoken ships surrounded them.

"Bane of wolves... are you on board this craft?" a male voice called out and Ashura reached to grab her comms. "No, but I was requested to be seen by the Queen and her brother, will you let me pass?" she asked and silence ensured for a few moments. "Who is on board the Wolves bane's ship?" The voice was angry. Bitter even. "My name is Marie. Marie Reyes, Kira Reyes sister. I need to see the Queen and her brother, Prince Uldren. May I please pass?" she asked and the man went quiet.

"The Queen had given confirmation. She will have the prince escort you to her." The man said and Ashura released her breath. Lion and Loki released their held breath as well, the fear of being shot down was definitely a silencer. They followed the Awoken ships and when they came upon the outpost, Ashura was in love with the aesthetic of the place, while Loki and Lion couldn't have been more unenthused. The ship dropped her and the two behind her right front and center of the group there to greet them.

Ashura locked eyes with the tall man in front and she was immediately awestruck by him. The way he held him was that of royalty, his chin was angled up as he watched her from down his nose. Initially, she would have assumed he was watching her with disdain, but it wasn't that. However the disdain was focused on Lion, who had removed his helmet revealing his Awoken heritage to the prince in front of them. Loki removed his helm to reveal his shoulder length ebony lock that were slicked back and piercing green eyes. The man offered her a slight bow and she returned it, her cloak falling over her shoulder to reveal the marking on it. That alone seemed to catch him off guard.

"The dark haired one must be your older brother." He pointed out and she nodded. "Yes, your grace." She responded politely and he motioned for her to follow him. "You can call me Uldren." He said curtly and she nodded. He held his hands behind his back as the guards followed him, watching her group intently. Ashura watched this man move. He was clearly a hunter. His silent footfalls, the liquidity of his movements, and the way he held himself. If she were anything like Cayde, there would be other aspects she would point out about this man. Her sister hadn't been lying when she had mentioned the man was eye candy. He led her to the large doors that were guarded as well.

The female guards bowed and offered them entrance. She looked up and saw a beautiful woman sitting atop a throne where there were fallen standing around her. When they approached the queen, Ashura bowed first, her brother and Lion following soon after. "You..." she called and pointed at Ashura. "Approach us..." she commanded softly and Ashura nodded, but removed her helmet before making a move. She dropped the hood slowly, seeing as the guards twitched towards her as if anticipating her to attack. She held her hands up in the air once it had dropped and she slowly stepped forwards. The queen motioned for her to look up at her.

Ashura felt slightly uncomfortable under the scrutinizing gaze of the Queen. "You look just like her." She commented softly and Ashura offered a small smile. "Why did you give us your real name?" she asked and Ashura retained the crouch in front of the woman. "Oh... Brother. You see it don't you?" she asked and Uldren nodded. "I had wondered why she wanted one made." The Queen mused and motioned for Ashura to stand, but the flutter of her heart signaled when was about to happen before it even had.

Her left leg didn't sit well against the step and she stumbled backwards slightly, but the uneven weight caused the guards to lunge at her with a small mutter of 'weapon'. Uldren raised one hand from where he had lunged forward to catch her before she hit the floor. The Guards stopped in their tracks and moved backwards slightly. Loki lunged at Uldren the moment the large hunting knife was swiped from his thigh holster. The knife was pointed at Loki faster than Loki could even attempt to use his ability on Uldren. The energy in Loki's grasp swirled away to nothing and Uldren pulled the large knife out of his face.

Ashura watched him with shaky eyes and he only smirked at her as he drug the blade down her leg, then tapped it against it a few times. "It seems you have forgotten what it sounds like when a clutz has a metal leg." He said with a very subtle hint of amusement flitting through his eyes. The queen offered a small smile as the prince helped Ashura up. "Forgive me... I suppose I should have said something." She offered softly and the queen shook her head, but those glowing amber eyes were just making her heart race. She couldn't focus because he was just there... watching her. It unnerved her because no one was this interested in her unless they were going to make her life hell.

"I called you here because I heard of your attempt in the Vault of Glass." The queen began suddenly and Ashura looked at her with saddened eyes. "I know how you can make another attempt." She said and Ashura froze, her entire body felt cold and she felt light headed. She didn't want to go back into the vault. Never again. "If not your group, then another will one day try... but before Atheon can be removed from his place of power... the black heart must first be taken out." She said and when Ashura heard the change of demeanor of the men behind her, she turned to glare at Lion. She had heard that mouth of his open. "Don't you dare." She hissed and he gave her a smart ass look.

He was going to do it anyways. "Ashura, if it's a dark heart they need you to destroy, you might wanna go take a jump." "I said shut up." She snarled and he just shrugged with an amused look. Loki said nothing, he didn't want to get in between the two. "Or maybe take his royal highness with you. I mean, he keeps giving me the stink eye and I'll have to show him what for." "I said shut up." She snapped once more and Uldren pressed past her gently, much more gently than she could have expected from someone who emanated strength in his stature. "You puny half breeds are far from amusing." Uldren said and Loki tried to get Lion to back off, but Lion ripped himself from Loki's grip.

The half Awoken was attempting to assert his nonexistent dominance against the prince. The queen narrowed her eyes at the spectacle before her. "Brother." She called and he looked over at her, only for the slightly shorter awoken to try and punch him. Uldren flipped him with ease and pressed him to his knees with a foot to his back and his arm twisted at an ungodly angle. "Yes, Sister?" he asked as he maintained eye contact with her. "I need them gone. Perhaps we had too much faith in the maturity of the tower's guardians." She said softly and waved them off as she stood and made her way out of the room and into the darkness behind her throne.

"Prince Uldren-" "Silence. I will speak to you momentarily." He said, his voice wasn't harsh, but it was commanding. Uldren shoved Lion away from him and he dusted off his hands. "Guards escort that half breed filth out of here." He demanded and the women nodded and reached to grab Lion to force him out of the room, but the man shrugged their hands off of him. "He's only mad cause he's a punk bitch." Lion commented with a shrug and Ashura glared at him. "Are you stupid?!" she snapped and he shrugged. Uldren placed a hand on her shoulder and she looked at him in confusion. The man walked around her and introduced a swift fist to Lion's gut.

"Filth..." he spat as Lion struggled to catch his breath. "Or maybe it's because he wants to screw your other sister too, Loki." Lion managed once he regained his breath. Loki slapped a hand over the Awoken's mouth and tried to drag him away. Ashura rushed to get in front of the prince before he murdered the other hunter. "Please forgive him, he's obviously stupid and has no sensor." She pleaded, having seen his glowing amber eyes become like liquid lava. "Either way, he is filth." He sneered and she nodded as she bowed to him before she turned to take off after her brother and his friend. She saw Uldren vanish in the same direction his sister had gone.

She rushed out and saw that Loki and Lion were arguing a short distance away. She made a move to make her way over to them, but before she could actually get out of the hallways leading from the throne room a hand found its way over her mouth and she was drug into a small room. She struggled against the person who had her but their grip was strong. She managed to get her mouth out from under the persons hand, but instead of screaming like any logical woman, she chomped down right on their hand. When that hand released its grip on her cloak she used her mechanical leg to kick the person off of her. She only saw a glimpse of the man who had grabbed her in the shadow of the dimly lit hallway. He held up his hands, maybe to try and plead for her to stop, but by the time he had done so, it was too late.

She shoulder charged him right through the door, sending him flying with the door flat against his back. He and the door hit the ground and skid a few feet, only for her to jump and pin him to the ground, her legs holding his down while she managed to get a blade against his neck before she ripped her hood from her head from where it had obscured her vision once she had shoulder charged him. When her silver eyes had met with his glowing amber ones, she scrambled off of him swiftly. The amusement swimming in his eyes had her internally panicking. At least he wasn't angry. She bowed swiftly and offered him her hands. He took her hands and her heart raced as she assisted him to his feet.

"Please forgive me." She whispered and he shook his head. "No, I startled you." He said and she did her best to hide her blush as he dusted her shoulder off. "May I ask why you grabbed me?" "You just did, but I don't think I have to dignify that with a response." He said and her eyes narrowed at him. His tone was slightly amused. "I wished to ask you something is all." He said as he turned to walk away. "W-wait..." she called and he turned to look at her. "What was your question?" she asked and he frowned. "Where is Kira?" he asked and her eyes went wide. "Sir..." she began, and he turned to her fully. "Don't call me sir." He reprimanded but her heart raced in her chest.

"She..." Ashura began but she clenched her fists by her side. "She's dead, right?" he asked and she nodded softly. The cold tone to his voice terrified her. "I see. That damnable woman." He growled out and she looked at him in surprise. His eyes were angry, but filled with hurt. "This was your fault." He growled out and her eyes narrowed at him. This was a game changer. She grabbed his arm roughly and he glared at her. "Do you think I don't know that?" she hissed and he frowned at her. "I know it's my own damn fault." She hissed, trying her best to kill her tears before they escaped. His eyes softened slightly, but it was barely noticeable. "Keep the cloak... but take this as well." He said and he placed something within her hand.

It was a small metal object that had a wolf engraved on it, similar to a badge but it was oddly shaped and clunky. "I had a feeling she wasn't going to come back, so I was going to give her that. Bury it with her." He said and Ashura looked at him with shock written all over her face, but then she shock turned to sadness. "We couldn't get her body to bring her home." She whispered and he frowned deeply. "I see." He sighed and she could hear him clenching his fists. "Either way... I'll see you around. You seem to be a fairly tolerable guardian. Definitely not your sister, but tolerable none the less." He sighed and she scoffed at him. "You're a dick." She hissed and he only smirked.

"But of course." He said and opened his mouth to say something else, but another voice cut in and both of them stared disdainfully at the source. "Damn, I told you Loki. He is trying to screw her too." "Lion." She hissed and tried to maneuver around Uldren, but he held out a hand to stop her. "Perhaps the mixed breed needs to repeat his lesson." Uldren offered, but Ashura shoved his hand off of her and she made her way around him. "Ashura." He called and she looked at him in confusion.

Hearing her name from him felt odd. "Be-" "Come on Ashura, suck his face already so we can go home. I'm tired of this dump already." Lion groaned and Loki shoved him towards the ship. A dark red blush coated her cheeks and she started off towards Lion, but Loki managed to get him into the ship before she could punch his lights out. She followed them into the ship, only to stare out the window to see his glowing eyes boring right into her own. "What the hell does he want with me." She growled, seeing the amusement in his eyes as he turned to walk away.

"Maybe exactly what you want... to suck face like a bunch of horny teens." Lion offered, but she was about to offer a fist to his face. "He's a bipolar sassy asshole." She scoffed and Loki watched her in confusion. "So... that being beside the point, how do we inform the vanguard that due to our beloved friend here that we basically got nothing." Loki asked and Ashura sighed and pulled her knees up to her chest in her pilot seat. "I don't even know..." she whispered and rubbed her thumb over the odd coin like object Uldren had given her. What was his deal?

Soon enough the tower was back inside and she wanted nothing more than to get out of this aircraft. When they landed, Cayde-6 was there excited as ever to see her. He opened his mouth to talk to her, but her attention was drawn back to Loki and Lion who were bickering about what had happened. Lion mentioned her and Uldren once more and she sent him flying across the hangar with a shoulder charge. Cayde-6 draped an arm over her shoulder and greeted her happily.

"My lovely." He said as he stepped over Lion, but she hopped and landed left leg first right in the center of Lion's back as she made her way through the doorway. She was furious at him right now and she wished he would just shut his damnable trap. And that wasn't even the last of it. Cayde-6 had followed her to the barracks. She tried to close the door on him, but him being of taller stature and mechanical strength, he stopped her swiftly. "So..." he began and she flopped on her bed. "Is this a love interest I am hearing about?" he asked with an amused tone and she gave him a sour look. "He is rude, has no regard for personal space, and he molested my Exo leg with a knife, so you tell me... does that seem like love?" she snapped and he blinked at her.

"Sounds kinda kinky if you ask me." He said offhandedly and she growled into her pillow. Her eye felt like it was about to start twitching. She wanted nothing more than to look at him and scream at him asking if he had lost his damn mind. "Did you at least find him attractive?" Cayde-6 asked in a dead serious tone and she actually looked at him like he had lost his mind. "Really? Are you going to get jealous?" she asked and he blinked once but his reply was instant.

"Yes." It was such a curt and sudden reply that it caught her off guard. She pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed deeply. She desperately wanted to know what the hell he was thinking. Did he want to suffer a similar fate to Lion? "So..." she began and he listened intently, he even leaned in a little closer as if it would help him hear her better. "You... My mentor, an Exo..." she continued, a small annoyed laugh escaping her. "Are going to be jealous because some odd, attractive awoken has some sort of unhealthy interest in me?" she asked and he watched her for a moment. Her head was starting to hurt and she desperately hoped he hadn't caught that little slip of the tongue. She'd actually mentioned she thought he was attractive.

"Yes." He replied in the same simplistic manner as he had before. She rubbed her brow and watched as Ivara hovered around behind him like she wanted to burn him. "Why?" Ashura asked with a strained voice and he crossed his arms over his chest. He honestly seemed offended at that. "Ok, so I wont take you questioning my motives as an insult-" "You Should." She cut in mid sentence and he narrowed his eyes at her, but continued talking. "But, I'm honestly hurt." He said and she rolled her eyes. "Look, I know you're a human and I'm an Exo... but-" "You're far older than me and Exos don't and cant reproduce." She butted in once more effectively cutting him off mid rant.

He still had his hand in the air pointing at her matter-of-factly, his jaw still agape. A familiar laugh echoed around them and he turned to see Ikora standing in the doorway. "You know, Cayde..." Ikora began and he looked at her. "Exo were created to protect humanity... not impregnate it." Ikora said and Cayde-6's eyes glowed a little brighter. "Ah, and as that is true, it is also unfair." He said and Ashura scoffed. "Why don't you go ask Holliday to electrify your circuits, Cayde?" she muttered as she filtered through her things. "Well someone's attitude is definitely insufferable today. He said and she snorted. "Can it metal man." She said and he huffed.

"Can we cool it with the metal man jokes please?" he asked and she shrugged. "Sure." She said and he blinked at her in confusion. "Wait what?" he asked and she laughed softly. "I've got to go. See ya later..." she began and an odd glimmer flit through her eyes. "Mr. unicorn." She said as she vanished from view. "Hey, no disrespecting my horn... my beautiful, beautiful horn." He muttered as she walked out of the room. She was headed to the bar, where maybe she could have a little peace and quiet. She knew after a while he would follow, he always did.

It was almost as if he knew when she was dwelling on her sorrows.

:-:-: seven months later :-:-:

She sighed as she made her way around the cosmodrome. This desolate wasteland annoyed her more than anything. She had seen pictures of the lush green forested areas of the eastern dead zone and she wanted nothing more than to head there. She wanted to see more of that place. She wanted to explore. Movement in her peripheral caught her eye and she ducked behind a boulder nearby. She watched as the fallen dreg made his way around the boulder to her. He was limping and had no weapon. He locked eyes with her and held up all four arms in surrender. She put her weapon away and motioned for him to come to her. "Where did you go." His voice called out to her and the fallen she had just reached out to scrambled to get away from him.

She looked over at him and she watched him with an unamused gaze. "What?" he asked and she sighed. "You scared him away." She sighed and he quirked a brow at her. "Well, then call him back to you. Use what I taught you." He said and she turned towards the dreg that was hiding behind a panel of airplane siding. She tested the words on her tongue, but they felt off. He nodded and urged her to speak the language louder, so the dreg could hear her better.

He watched her as she spoke to the dreg, it was definitely an interesting spectacle. She spoke the Eliksni language so fluently, but so shyly that it was odd. The dreg responded but spoke one word of the English language. "Help." He had managed and Ashura nodded and motioned for him to come to her. She looked back at him with excited eyes and he offered her an approving nod. "Can you hand me my medical kit over there?" she asked and he looked at the odd carry case. He picked it up and made his way over to her with it. "Thank you." She said softly and he watched her as she had the dreg lay down so she could help him. "I'm going to help." She said and the dreg blinked at her, but then he pulled the cloth from his armor away from the wound.

"It looks like he got into it with the hive." He said and she nodded. "Looks like he found a thrall faster than he was." She offered as she pulled a suture set from the case by her feet. "Would you like to sit?" she asked and before he could respond, her eyes jolted to him. "You're towering and scary. Have a seat." She said and he scoffed. "Please?" she asked and he rolled his eyes and sat beside her. "Where did you learn how to heal by hand?" he asked and she glanced over at him. "I believe it was a skill in my past life. Perhaps I was a medic." She said and he nodded. "I see."

"Prince Uldren... do you have any memory of your past life?" she asked and he shook his head. "I had no past life. I was born like this. Queen Mara is my twin sister, just as Kira was yours." He said and she stopped sewing for a second to process the information, but then she nodded. "I see." She said as she applied more antiseptic and lidocaine to the area, seeing as the dreg had jolted and almost caused her to poke him somewhere he definitely would not have liked. "Do you have a ghost?" she asked and he hesitated then shook his head.

"I see... do you know CPR?" she asked and he looked at her funny. She smiled softly and took that as a no. "Would you like me to teach the awoken medical skills?" she asked and he watched her with a frown. "You could teach me, but then I could teach them." He offered and she nodded. "That sounds ok." She said and he nodded. "So when are you going to tell your sister you've been running away to hang out with me?" she asked in slight amusement and he smirked at her.

"She knew the first day. She also knows every time we fight." He said and she blushed lightly as she bandaged the dregs side securely. She offered a hand to help it up and it took it in its gentle grasp. It didn't take the dreg long to test out his range of movement and then turn back to her. "Et... Yu?" he managed and her eyes lit up, Uldren saw this and he motioned for her to respond. "Yu... Ashura." She replied and the dreg mumbled something then looked at her and threw his hands in the air. "Yu Colt." He said and she offered a hand to him. It reached and touched her hand lightly before turning to Uldren and watching him hesitantly. She looked over and saw that Uldren had offered a hand to the dreg as well.

The dreg slapped his hand gently, but Uldren knew it wasn't to be taken in an offensive manner. Ashura watched as Uldren spoke to the dreg in Eliksni, the dreg seemed to listen intently as the dark man spoke. She would like to think they had become relatively something of friends, but he was still a jerk around other people, especially Eris Morn. Eris would come to visit her, but it seemed the two of them had met before. He regarded her with a silence that screamed his distaste for the woman. The way he spoke Eliksni was... alluring. The tone of voice he used could be classified as seductive, but maybe then again it was just his voice. Everything he said to her was alluring... maybe she was just drawn to his voice. She mused over this in her mind for a moment, but then when a hand touched her shoulder, she jumped back into reality.

She jumped to her feet and turned around to face him. She looked him up and down swiftly, and smiled at him softly. She kinda liked this jerk for some odd reason though. "Would you like to spar before I have to go?" he asked and she blinked at him in confusion. "Where are you going?" she asked and he chuckled softly. "I have to return to my sister, let her know I am alright." He said and she sighed. "You really like my companionship don't you?" he asked with an amused smirk. "I never said that." She shot back and he quirked a brow. "But you aren't denying it either." He said and she rolled her eyes. "No, I keep you around because you teach me things." She said and he gave her a look that screamed amusement, but also told her he knew she was full of it.

"When will you come back to spar with me?" she asked and he shrugged. "Not sure, you just said you only like me because I teach you things." He said and she closed the distance between them and jabbed a finger into his chest. "And you don't keep me around for learning purposes?" she asked and he smirked as he leaned closer to her. "You need me far more than I need you." He said and she stared at him with her jaw agape. She was definitely offended by that little comment.

"Says the one who has one life, but doesn't know how to save it." She snapped and shoved him lightly. "Really? Says the one who has as many as her ghost can give? Zombie brat." He said with a prod at her chest plate. "Look here... you're about to meet the floor again." She snapped and he smirked as he thumped her forehead. "I think you will be the one to meet the floor." He said nonchalantly and she lunged for him. He swept out of her grasp with a chuckle. She aimed a punch at him and he deflected it easily. When they sparred it was strictly hand to hand combat, but abilities were allowed to be tossed in. Mainly hers, because she had never seen his.

She dropped down and tried to sweep his legs out from under him, but he jumped at the last second and spun to the side. She backflipped out of his range when she saw him lunge for her. She supposed it was like a dance, the fluidity of their movements and the speed at which they moved. She spun and shoulder charged at him, but much to her surprise he crossed his arms over his chest and it halted the majority of the force only causing him to slide backwards a few feet. She jumped backwards away from him and tried to charge him again, but he jumped at the last second grabbed her shoulder and flipped himself over her only to spin and plant both of his feet into her back.

That caught her off guard and her eyes went wide when she realized why he had done that. She was mid charge... no way to stop it. She was sent off kilter by the force of his feet in her back and now she was spiraling towards the ground. she cursed inwardly as she turned to use her left leg to absorb the majority of the impact. She looked over to see him smirking and she narrowed her eyes. She used the momentum from dispersing her shoulder charge to lunge for him once more. His eyes widened as she used her whole body to ram him over. When she had him on the ground she attempted to pin him there, but he snaked his ankle under her leg and flipped her onto her back.

He held his blade to her neck with a smirk. "Getting better." He said, but the moment she started coughing he hopped away and helped her get to her knees. "Is this my fault?" he asked as she continually coughed and struggled for air. When her coughing spell finally ceased he placed a hand on her back and she looked up at him with tears in her eyes. He pulled a cloth from his hip pouch and began wiping the oily substance from her lips. "You've seen this before?" she asked softly and he nodded. "There are two people I know of that can help you." He said softly and she watched him with curious eyes. He stood and offered her a hand. She took it and she opened her mouth to ask him who could help her but his glowing eyes narrowed at her.

"The first who can help you... He's a murderer. And the second... I'm completely unsure if he even knows what he is. He's a murderer as well, but I don't think you can lessen the blow of it any more even if you were to say it was an accident that it happened." He bit out and she reached out to him, but he pulled his arm away from her gentle touch. "Uldren... we are... friends, right?" she asked and his eyes softened slightly. "Honestly... I don't know what we are. We are supposed to be enemies, but we have both defied direct orders to steer clear of one another." He sighed and looked off towards his ship where the dreg was exploring the inside.

"Would you want to be my friend?" she asked and he quirked a brow at her. "And if I said no?" he asked, that usual haughty tone back in his voice. She scoffed at him and crossed her arms over her chest. "Look here... if you don't want to be my friend, I'll have to kick your ass. You obviously care about me, even if it is a tiny bit." She said and he smirked at her. "Obviously you hold yourself in higher regard in my eyes than you actually do." He said and she raised her brows at him in surprise.

"And what is that supposed to mean?" she asked and he shrugged with a smirk. "Look here, I didn't even ask for this screwed up friendship. You're the one who kept showing up everywhere I went." She snapped and he closed the distance between them swiftly. "But you never said no." he said and she glared at him. "I think I figured out why. You were trying to use me... for my knowledge." He said and she sneered at him. "What knowledge could you have?" she snapped and he grabbed her chin in his left hand as gently as he could manage. "I'm clearly smarter than you think." He said and she smirked at him. "Of course, but even then, Lion is smarter than you take him for as well." She spat then scoffed. "So saying you are smarter than I think could be saying you are the same level of smart as Lion, which is about as smart as a sack of potatoes." She said with a shrug and he smirked, but this one was sinister.

"Of course. But I have the knowledge of how to save you and where to find the person who can." He said and she frowned at him. "But you aren't going to tell me, are you?" she asked and he brushed his thumb over her cheek gently. "You already know one, but they honestly have no real intention to help you... And the other... well. I need you to kill him, just as much as Cayde needs you to." He said and she furrowed her brows. "Taniks?" she asked and he nodded. "Yes.. he definitely needs to go." Uldren sighed and she watched him carefully. "Who is the other?" she asked and he patted her on the head gently. "I'd love to help you, but you have to earn that trust first." He said and started to walk away but she grabbed him by his cloak.

"Please tell me..." she whispered and his eyes darkened when he turned to face her. "No." he muttered sharply and yanked his cloak from her grasp. "Uldren please!" she called and he turned towards her. "You want to know why I wont help you?" he asked, the rage in his voice was suffocating to her. He grabbed her arms roughly and she winced. "Do you really want to know?" he snapped and she nodded, trying to fight off the tears. "Fine." He spat, but the grip on her arms didn't relent. "I refuse to help you because everyone I help with this little issue leaves. They leave. Without a word. My services are not for free, my assistance is most definitely one of a kind and to abuse my very small amount of kindness is to disrespect me." She snapped and she reached out to touch him, but he released her and stepped away from her.

"And no doubt you will do the same." He growled and she watched him with hurt eyes. "What makes you think that?" she asked and he scoffed. "Your sister did it." He snapped and she bit her lip. "How so?" she asked and he ran a hand through his hair. "She abandoned me to go to you. Why do you think I've been hanging around you? I've been trying to figure out what made her leave and abandon her Queen and Prince." He snapped and she stepped closer to him. "Well... did you figure it out?" she asked and he blinked over at her in surprise. "Yeah... I did." He muttered as his angry eyes softened slightly. "And I also figured out why you were so willing to try to be friends with me." He said and she crossed her arms over her chest gently.

"And what exactly was that reason." It wasn't a question. She was demanding that from him. "Please tell me, because even I don't know." She snapped and he curled up his lip at her. "You tried to befriend me to try and get me to pity you so I would help you with your leg issue." He said simply and she closed that small distance between them with a swift uppercut to his jaw. "If only it were that damn simple!" she snapped and he stared at her in surprise.

"That wasn't it?" he asked and she aimed another hit at him, but he caught this one. "No! That wasn't it at all!" she snarled and ripped her wrist from his grasp. "Unless you have come to apologize, don't seek me out anymore. Fucking prick." She snarled and turned away from him. "Ashura." He called out to her, but she continued walking away. She had nothing more to say to him and his ridiculous insecurities. She ported into her ship and as it took off she stared at him, he hadn't moved.

"Kabr. Do you have any information on how to become immune to a vex or Exo body part?" she asked and he watched her for a moment but then spoke. "There have been certain cases where life forms have added more mechanical parts to their bodies and it helped the body become better acquainted to the chemicals." He said and she nodded. "I see. I'm going to need some materials." She said and he made a list of everything she said she needed.

"I will do it myself... I don't need his help... I don't need anyone's help."

:-:_:-:

When he arrived home, he could tell his sister had been talking to the guards. They all watched him with careful eyes, he supposed his beloved sister had told him of his escapades with the small hunter. That aggravating woman. "Perhaps you are the aggravating one, brother." His sister called out to him and he watched her with a calm gaze. "What was the fight over this time?" she asked and he scoffed lightly. "I'd rather not discuss it." He grumbled and she snapped her fingers at him. "If you don't I will have Petra discuss it with her." The Queen threatened and he narrowed his eyes at her. A small smirk crossed her lips at his sudden anger concerning the girl.

"So it was your fault." That wasn't a question either, she knew. "You tell me, our bond is... bothersome at times." He grunted and she waved for him to come sit next to her. "Brother... where do your loyalties lie?" she asked and he stared at her in surprise. "With you, my sister." He said and she nodded. "Then hear me out. You do not have to suffer alone in this life." She said and he furrowed his brows at her. "Brother... I would recommend apologizing to her. She is an asset to the reef." She said and he frowned.

"What do we need her for?" he asked and she gave him a look that told him not to question her. "Her medical skills could help us." She said and he frowned. "So you want me to use her, the way I assumed she was using me?" he asked and she shook her head. "You can continue to meet with her, but protect her. And maybe when she is ready she will forgive you for your insolence." She said and he narrowed his eyes at her, only to have her shining blue eyes cut right back into his.

"You feel differently towards this twin than the previous. I do not believe you actually understand what you feel, but do not push her away. Maybe she can help you realize you are allowed to feel, dear brother... and not just anger and sass." She said softly as she patted his shoulder before she stood to walk away. "Sister?" he called and she turned to look at him. "Would you consider us friends?" he asked and she watched him in confusion. "Brother, you and I are at the very least friends. You are my most trusted advisor and I only want the best for you." She said and he nodded. "And... what of Ashura and I? Kira and I?" he asked and a small smile graced her lips. "Brother. You treated Kira like she was our younger sister. Ashura seems to be something different." She said and he nodded as he stood to make his way to his own room.

"Perhaps, dear brother, that is why it angered you so heavily when you thought she was using you to save herself." She said and he nodded. "I suppose. And what if she learns the truth that I could save her life and refused?" he asked and she smiled at him once more, but this one was softer than the last. "Then you explain to her why. And you help her." She said and he nodded, but couldn't help the stinging feeling that Ashura was just going to abandon like everyone else that he had helped had.

"Trust in her."

Y'all... I'm really feeling these stories again and I love it. I just hope all of you do as well. I'm hoping to have chapter 8 of Those of the Light up tomorrow, as well as chapter 2 of we were human once. And maybe chapter five of this one. Either way, enjoy!