The Titan rose from his crouched position. The Ward of Dawn that encased his body dissipated, along with the Void energy that surged within his sword, returning the blade its deep silver color, and leaving the center of the blade hollow once more. His Ghost, Orion he called it, appeared a second later by his left shoulder. "[i]Well, that was fun."[/i] It said. "Ha ha, you're very funny. C'mon, let's destroy this crystal and-" Suddenly, the center of the room exploded in a sudden rise of power, casting the room in a ghastly green color identical to the crystal hanging over the podium. The Titan had to bring his hand over his face to cover his eyes from the blinding light. When the light dimmed, he lowered his arm, and stared at the center of the room. A massive green vortex now swirled around the podium, and the crystal now began to pour its energy down to an ethereal figure that stood around twenty feet in he height. The figure resembled that of a Hive Knight, it's three eyes staring down at the Titan. Anaxis didn't have to guess to know who this being was that the Hive were summoning. Sarkon. The Titan drew a side arm from his waist with his free hand, aimed at the crystal, and fired. The round soared at incredible speed toward its mark, but did nothing as it was stopped by the raging vortex protecting the ritual. He fired several more shots, only to have same results each time. With a grunt, the Titan returned the weapon to its holster. He then brought his arm around in front of him, then jerked it back its side, a large flaming hammer appearing in his hand. He threw hammer after hammer at the crystal above, but like the rounds fired from his sidearm, they only seemed to dissolve against the protective barrier. "[i]This thing is too strong!"[/i] Exclaimed the Titan's Ghost. "How are we going to get past that vortex?!" The Titan slowly glanced down at his sword, then looked up at the ritual before them all. "The only thing we can do." He said. His Ghost looked over at him and seemed to understand what it's Guardian meant. "[i]No! You don't know what will happen!"[/i] "It's the only thing strong enough that can pierce that vortex! We don't have any other choice!" The Ghost only stared at his Guardian, obviously fearful at what he was talking about. But after what seemed like an eternity, it spoke with a voice filled with sorrow. "[i]It's been an honor to be at your side, Magnus."[/i] [i]What?![/i] "You too, Orion." Then the Ghost vanished from existence. The Titan then looked down at his sword, gripping its hilt tighter. Then his arm began to glow. It started off as just a faint shimmer, but as the seconds went by, his arm grew brighter and brighter, giving off a faint white light. The crystal within his sword seemed to respond to this, as it too began to dimly shine the same white color, along with a small white orb that formed at the center of the hollow blade. Anaxis couldn't believe what he was seeing. He was channeling his own Light! "C'mon, C'mon!" Cursed the Titan under his breath, struggling to gather more of his Light. That was when a loud laugh echoed throughout the chamber. The Titan looked up from his work to see what was happening with the ritual. The ethereal form, was now almost a complete solid figure, as evidence to the dense black armor that could be seen through the vortex. [i]"There is no Light, that can stand against the Darkness! This place will become your tomb!"[/i] But the Titan never ceased, he continued to channel his growing power, his arm and sword glowing brighter and brighter. Then a what sounded like a loud chime filled the room. The Titan's arm had become a pure white light, the sword's crystal glowing bright, and the energy that was too weak to sustain before, now filled the hollow blade with the same energy, making the edges shine a brilliant golden light. He had done it. The Titan then stared at the crystal, bringing his sword to bear, aligning the tip the bright golden blade with the large crystal. The sword grew bright once more, then unleashed a beam of of pure Light at the crystal. The beam struck the vortex, cutting through the powerful ward and hit the crystal at its center. The sound of cracking glass sounded, followed by an ear piercing screech as the crystal glowed a blinding light, then went supernova, sending out a ring of Light and Darkness throughout the room. The chain that held the crystal high in the air, broke, sending the now broken shard crashing to the ground. The explosion swept the Titan off his feet and sent him flying into the wall behind him, the impact leaving an array of large cracks in the stone, before the Titan slid to the ground in a heap. Then the room fell silent. Sarkon, who had now fully entered the world, was crouched down, clutching his chest with a scaly claw, over his armor that had now changed from pitch black, to a dull gray, and the Titan, who was now beginning to recover and regain his bearings. The Titan's hand, now returned to normal brushed over the hilt of his sword that laid upon the ground, lifeless with no power, and instinctively gripped hold of it. But he looked down at it, before releasing his hold of it. He raised his free hand into the air in front of him, slowly uncurling his fingers to form an open hand. He was trying to summon his Ghost. But it never came. "Orion... Orion!" Shouted the Titan, fear leaking into his voice. He called it's name over and over and over. But each time, his calls were left unanswered. "No." His breathing trembled, grief practically washing over him. His head shot up however as portals began to appear all around the podium, spawning large groups of Hive at each one. The massive Knight stood up, and looked down at the fallen Guardian, anger and blood-lust filling its eyes. It jabbed a finger at him. [i]"Kill that wretched Light, NOW!"[/i] it boomed. Upon their god's command, they charged. The Titan scrambled to his feet, hissing in pain at the sudden movements. Fire engulfed his entire body, as a Hammer of Sol appeared in his hand. However, as soon as it came, it vanished, the flames surrounding him, smothered as it was instantly replaced with black shadows and corrosion that covered his torso and right arm. The Titan howled in pain as the dark essence threatened to consume him. With the Hive quickly advancing, he stumbled toward the exit, drawing his sidearm as he went, and fired into the oncoming wall of death. He then retreated through the exit, waves of Thrall following close behind. All that was heard was the occasional gunshot and the continuous chorus of death. Then everything stilled and vanished, as the room returned to its dark, silent, ruined form. Anaxis could only stare at the exit, long banished memories coming to the forefront of his mind. He knew who this was. A long buried secret. But now, it wouldn't take long for his companions, specifically Alice, to piece together that secret he had buried so long ago.