New chapter, yay! If you missed the last chapter, you can find it [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/225240598?sort=0&page=0]here[/url]. If you're looking for all chapters, go to the [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/222701511?sort=0&page=0]Table of Contents[/url]. Hope you enjoy the chapter :) [b]Cults' Dwelling, Asteroid Belt. Seven days before House Scar leaves for Paris.[/b] We were told to meet here, the two of us. The Archon tells me I should host the congregation; it is only natural, seeing that I am the party with the largest force. The third party should be here before him. My soldiers stand positioned on the doors with fear in their eyes. They are under the impression that the Hive will come back, but I assured them that we cleared the area. This place was caliginous; no life has existed here except for the Hive. This was a dead zone of the Reef, a region that Urrox, Flame Prince, once ruled until the wretched Queen took him into the Prison of Elders. Hive still occupy this region of the Reef after his capture. My soldiers have cleansed [i]one[/i] of the asteroids, at the cost of many lives. It is considered taboo for an Awoken to come here, and most eliksni think it’s cursed. Those Carybdis butchers dubbed this group of asteroids as the Cults’ Dwelling, and the name is something I can agree upon. A ship was flying in outside. It was a normal guardian vessel, except the coursing Hive growth coating the ship. No doubt, this man took the ship into the abyss of Luna. The man to transmat out of the ship was a human in black armor and cloak, draping his hand casually over a jagged weapon strapped to his holster. When he entered the complex, he took off his mask to reveal his face, and I had never seen one with such a cold look. His eyes were a light gray, and his skin was light; not like the Awoken that I loathe, but more apricot. His hair was a light brown and he had a shaved head, but a thick beard to make up for it. I spoke first and said to the dark mercenary, “Greetings… guardian. You must be Dredgen Rel, the leader of this ‘third party’ that the Archon spoke of, yes?” He replied flatly, “Indubitably, but I am no guardian. No doubt you are Skolas; I have heard about how you liberated the Wolves, and of your recent campaigns.” “As have I; the way you train your mercenaries is quite impressive. Has there ever been a revolt in your training camps?” He thinks for a moment, and says, “Only one, and it was led by a man named Dennis. I don’t think I have ever had a soldier like him, and it was a shame the day he escaped. Strong enough to escape but not strong enough to kill me, although I do credit the attempt.” Just at that moment, a red Archon walked through the door. His armor was sleek, and he wore a crimson scarf around his neck. He had an attachment on his eye, and a red technology swarmed around him. I noticed a Shrapnel launcher on his back with crimson tendrils wrapped around it. [i]Strange tech this one carries, and stranger is he[/i], I thought to myself. He took a breath and clicked before he spoke, “Skolas… and Dredgen Rel! Both of you have come to hear my proposal, yes? We have much to discuss.” His voice reminded me of that traitor, Variks. It made me feel an old sense of anger. “You said we would hunt Vesrik, and that if I helped he would be delivered to me!” “Yes, Skolas, the Kell of Scar will kneel to you, and so will its people. Though, you will only take half of his people, while the other half goes to me for my cause.” I don’t trust this Archon. He raises many suspicions just by the words that slip from his tongue. “What is your cause, Vrayth? I don’t want any of your plans to interfere with mine!” He raises a hand, as if to silence me! This is blasphemous! “No one silences the Kell of Kells!” “Just listen”, he says patiently, “My plans will not interfere with the Wolves’ campaign. The House of Scar will be yours, Skolas. Now, moving on to you, Rel. What is it you want in return for your services?” I sit back down, trying to control my resentment. The former hunter simply shrugs. “Just some glimmer and a good fight.” Not a hard mercenary to bargain with. Vrayth nods and replies, “You will be supplied with such. Now, I’m going to tell you the circumstances and plans I have created. I am almost finished with Teriks Prime, and once it is done, I will convince Vesrik to move House Scar to Paris, France, a dead zone on Earth. Once he is comfortable in Versailles and unsuspecting of an attack, both your forces will be deployed, and we shall pressure him until he surrenders.” I ask the Archon before it leaves my mind, “About Teriks Prime… will it be a target for us?” Vrayth smirks and says, “No. I have it all under control; I shall take care of the Prime for you.” Dredgen Rel steps forward and asks, “Yes, but will he build up his army? If he hangs his banners in Versailles and concentrates his power in one area, it will be far easier for him to pull more recruits into the House of Scar.” I shake my head and say with pride, “Vesrik can build his military all he wants, and the Wolves will still outnumber him, even without you! Trust me, Rel, all we [i]should[/i] worry about is bringing Scar’s stubborn Kell to bow to me. Besides, concentrating power in one area is what causes an empire to fall.” Vrayth nods in agreement. “Indeed, Skolas. Your forces are large, but we need a team from Dredgen Rel’s forces for stealth and assassinations. Trust me, if anyone is good at that, it is him.” I look at the corrupt soldier from across the table and see him playing with his jagged Thorn. The malignant hand cannon has drained the light from many other guardians. The Hive gifted it a cruel purpose: to leave a stain on the most beloved. Vrayth stands up from his seat and says, “I will remind you of your roles before I leave: Skolas, you will provide an overwhelming amount of foot soldiers to fight the combatants on the front lines. Dredgen Rel, your garrison will come in for assassination and allurement of the senior officers; their names are Valerie, Dennis Rager, Zatkis, and Nayvadis. Two are eliksni and two are awoken.” The mercenary had a twinkle in his eye. “Dennis [i]is[/i] among them! This battle is already a hundred times more fun! I’m obliged to fight for you, Vrayth!” The Archon smiles at his enthusiasm and says, “You’re always welcome. The battle will be in a month and seven days from today. Do not underestimate them, the both of you. He will have more soldiers and military power by the time the battle begins.” Both me and the assassin received a profile of all of them, including Vesrik. Before I leave, I turn to Vrayth and shoot him a glare. “I thank you for helping us, Vrayth, but you must not fail me. If that happens, you will be an immediate target of the Wolves and we will not hesitate to kill you.” The red eliksni had an enormous smirk on his face. “Oh, do not worry, your highness. You will be surprised at how fast the battle will end.”